The minimum wage across Canada varies greatly. With Saskatchewan being one of the provinces with the lowest minimum wage at $14.00 hourly, some say it is not enough to live on.
However, only about three percent of workers in Saskatchewan earn the minimum wage.
Since 2014, the minimum wage in Saskatchewan has been increasing yearly and is expected to be reviewed this year as well.
This article details the Saskatchewan minimum wage, exceptions and rules, tax rates, and increases.
What’s the Minimum Wage in Saskatchewan?
The minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $14.00 per hour as of October 1, 2023. This is the lowest minimum wage in Canada. It is expected to increase to $15.00 per hour on October 1, 2024.
Increases to the Saskatchewan minimum wage are announced annually by June 30 and come into effect on October 1.
It is calculated relative to the Consumer Price Index and the average hourly wage for all workers in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Minimum Wage History
Since 2014, the Saskatchewan minimum wage has increased slightly every October. Below is a brief history of the yearly increases.
- October 1, 2023: $14.00 per hour
- October 1, 2022 – $13.00 per hour
- October 1, 2021 – $11.81 per hour
- October 1, 2020 – $11.45 per hour
- October 1, 2019 – $11.32 per hour
- October 1, 2018 – $11.06 per hour
- October 1, 2017 – $10.96 per hour
- October 1, 2016 – $10.72 per hour
- October 1, 2015 – $10.50 per hour
- October 1, 2014 – $10.20 per hour
Saskatchewan Minimum Wage for Students
The student minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $14.00 per hour, the same rate as most other workers.
In Saskatchewan, the minimum age for employment is 16. The absolute minimum age of 14 has also been established, given that they fulfill certain requirements.
14- or 15-year-olds must complete the Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course (YWRCC) to work in Saskatchewan.
Only certain job positions are available for these young individuals.
Saskatchewan Minimum Wage Exceptions and Rules
Most employees in Saskatchewan are paid the same minimum wage; however, there are a few limited exceptions.
The following groups of individuals are exempted from the minimum wage:
- Farming, ranching, or garden labourers
- Temporary babysitters
- Self-employed individuals
- Volunteers for non-profit organizations
- Athletes while engaged in sport
- Care providers employed in private homes
- Some individuals who have a mental or physical disability or impairment
Because of the very limited exemptions from the minimum wage, you should check the legislation and/or Employment Standards Division for more information.
Reporting for Duty Pay
Most employees receive a minimum payment called reporting for duty pay every time they report for work.
Individuals who report to work must receive at least three hours of pay at their hourly wage, even if they work less than three hours or if there is no work to do.
Reporting for duty pay does not apply to overtime work, but it does apply on public holidays.
On public holidays, the employee earns whichever is greater: wages for hours worked on the public holiday or reporting for duty wages.
Exemptions to Reporting for Duty Pay
For the following individuals, reporting for duty pay is a minimum of one hour of the employee’s wage:
- Students working during the school term
- School bus drivers employed by a school to transport students to and from school
- Noon supervisors employed by a school
Overtime Pay
Overtime is paid at the rate of at least 1.5 times the employee’s hourly wage.
There are two standard workweeks in Saskatchewan: eight hours a day for five days or 10 hours a day for four days.
Employees who work eight hours a day earn overtime after working more than eight hours a day in 24 hours.
Employees who work 10 hours a day earn overtime after working more than 10 hours a day in 24 hours.
Employees can also bank their overtime hours if it is agreed with their employer. Their overtime hours can be used on a later agreed date for time off at normal pay.
For every hour of overtime an employee works, 1.5 hours should be banked.
Holiday Pay
Employees who work on a public holiday earn a wage of 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked.
As public holiday pay, they receive 5% of their wages in the four weeks before a public holiday.
Employees receive overtime pay if they work over 32 hours during a week with a public holiday.
These 32 hours do not include any hours worked on the holiday.
Minimum Wage Tax Rate in Saskatchewan
Federal and personal tax brackets and credit amounts increased in 2023. Depending on your taxable income, you will be taxed more on a higher yearly income. See as follows:
Personal Income Tax Brackets and Tax Rates
| Tax Bracket | Saskatchewan Tax Rates |
| First $49,720 | 10.50% |
| Over $49,720 up to $142,058 | 12.50% |
| Over $142,058 | 14.50% |
Federal Tax Brackets and Tax Rates
In addition to provincial taxes, you also pay federal taxes where applicable, as follows:
| Tax Brackets | Federal Tax Rate |
| Up to $53,359 | 15% |
| $53,359.01 – $106,717 | 20.50% |
| $106,717.01 – $165,430 | 26% |
| $165,430.01 – $235,675 | 29% |
| $235,675+ | 33% |
Saskatchewan Minimum Wage Deductions
The following deductions apply in Saskatchewan:
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
- Federal and Provincial income tax
- Workers Compensation
You can reference various guides here for information about deducting, remitting, and reporting payroll deductions.
Saskatchewan Minimum Wage Increase
On October 1, 2014, the Saskatchewan minimum wage was $10.20 per hour, which has increased slowly every year since then.
The minimum wage is adjusted annually on October 1st, calculated relative to the Consumer Price Index.
The minimum wage in Saskatchewan will be reviewed and is expected to increase to $15.00 on October 1, 2024.
Minimum Wage in Canada
Below is a table of the current minimum wage in Canada in 2023:
| Province | Minimum Wage Rate |
| Alberta | $15.00 general workers; $13.00 for students under 18 (less than 28 hrs/week when school is in session) |
| British Columbia | $16.75 general workers; $16.75 for liquor servers |
| Saskatchewan | $14.00 |
| Manitoba | $15.30 |
| Ontario | $16.55 general workers; $15.60 for students under 18 (less than 28 hrs/week) |
| Québec | $15.25 |
| New Brunswick | $14.75 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $15.00 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $15.00 |
| Yukon | $16.77 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.05 |
| Nunavut | $16.00 |
Saskatchewan Minimum Wage FAQs
The Saskatchewan minimum wage is set to increase annually on October 1st. It is reviewed based on the Consumer Price Index and the average hourly wage of all workers. The last increase was on October 1, 2023, to $14.00.
Yukon has the highest minimum wage in Canada, at $16.77 per hour.
Saskatchewan is the province with the lowest minimum wage at $14.00.
A living wage is the basic hourly wage an individual needs to cover their expenses and live in the community. In Saskatchewan (Regina), the living wage is $16.46/hour, much higher than the current minimum wage of $14.00/hour.
Conclusion
Saskatchewan has the lowest minimum wage in Canada at $14.00 per hour. It will likely not surpass any other province’s minimum wage in the near term.
With the 1.1 million people living in Saskatchewan, many say this does not cover their living expenses. Many workers paid minimum wage in Saskatchewan rely on tips and gratuities to cover extra costs that their paycheques do not.
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