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Minimum wage

Last updated on June 20, 2024

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Employees must be paid at least minimum wage

The minimum wage in B.C. is currently $17.40 per hour (as of June 1, 2024).

  • 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

This hourly minimum wage applies to most employees regardless of how they're 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 employees in specific industries have different minimum wages, as outlined below.

Minimum wage rates for specific employees

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Liquor servers

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

Live-in camp leaders are paid a daily rate for each day or part day worked.

  • June 1, 2024 – $138.93
  • 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

Live-in home support workers are paid a daily rate for each day or part day worked.

  • June 1, 2024 – $129.62
  • June 1, 2023 – $124.73
  • Prior to June 1, 2023 – $116.68
 

Resident caretakers​

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, 2024 – $1,041.80 per month plus $41.74 for each suite
  • 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, 2024 – $3,548.63 per month
  • 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.

Piece rates

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:

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References from the Employment Standards Act and Regulation