Last updated on February 26, 2024
On June 1, 2024, the minimum wage will increase to $17.40 per hour. Read the news release
On this page
- Employees must be paid at least minimum wage
- What you can do
Employees must be paid at least minimum wage
The minimum wage in B.C. is currently$16.75 per hour (as of June 1, 2023).
- June 1, 2024– $17.40 per hour
- June 1, 2023 – $16.75 per hour
- June 1, 2022 – $15.65 per hour
- June 1, 2021 – $15.20 per hour
- June 1, 2020 – $14.60 per hour
- June 1, 2019 – $13.85 per hour
Minimum wage applies regardless of how employees are paid– hourly, salary, commission or on an incentive basis. If an employee's wage is below minimum wage for the hours they worked, the employer must top up their payment so that it's equal to minimum wage.
Some types of employees have different minimum wage rates
A liquor server is an employee who:
- Works mainly as a server of food or drink or both
- Regularly serves liquor directly to customers, guests, members, or patrons
- Works in a premises with a liquor licence
As of June 1, 2021, liquor servers must be paid the regular minimum wage rate for hours worked, in addition to any tips or gratuities they receive.
- June 1, 2024– $17.40 per hour
- June 1, 2023 – $16.75 per hour
- June 1, 2022 – $15.65 per hour
- June 1, 2021 – $15.20 per hour
- June 1, 2020 – $13.95 per hour
- June 1, 2019 – $12.70 per hour
Live-in camp leaders are paid a daily ratefor each day or part day worked.
- June 1, 2023 – $133.69
- June 1, 2022– $125.06
- June 1, 2021 – $121.65
- June 1, 2020 – $116.86
- June 1, 2019 – $110.87
Live-in home support workers are paid a daily rate.
- The current daily rate is $124.73 per day or part day worked
- Prior to June 1, 2023, the daily rate was $116.68 per day or part day worked
The minimum wage for resident caretakers is a monthly wage based on the number of suites in the building.
For a building with nine to 60 residential suites:
- June 1, 2023 – $1,002.53 per month plus $40.17 for each suite
- June 1, 2022 – $937.82 per month plus $37.58 for each suite
- June 1, 2021 – $912.28 per month plus $36.56 for each suite
- June 1, 2020 – $876.35 per month plus $35.12 for each suite
- June 1, 2019 – $831.45 per month plus $33.32 for each suite
For a building with 61 or more residential suites:
- June 1, 2023 – $3,414.85 per month
- June 1, 2022 – $3,194.43 per month
- June 1, 2021 – $3,107.42 per month
- June 1, 2020 – $2,985.04 per month
- June 1, 2019 – $2,832.11 per month
Where a resident caretaker works less than a full month, wages are pro-rated based on number of days worked.
Some types of employees are paid a piece rate
A piece rate is a rate of pay based on a measurable quantity of work completed. Employees must be told what the piece rates are before they start work. They may also be paid a different set wage for specific tasks (e.g. paid an hourly rate).
Find out about piece rates for farm workers.
What you can do
If you're having issues at work, find out what you can do:
References from the Employment Standards Act and Regulation
