In recent years, the minimum wage in New Brunswick has been rising gradually. Since the government now adjust the rate based on inflation, the minimum wage keeps pace with the cost of living over time.
If you live or work in New Brunswick, knowing the minimum wage can help you stay informed and protect your earnings. Read on to stay up to date on the latest changes coming in 2025.
What is the Current Minimum Wage in New Brunswick?
Effective April 1, 2025, the minimum wage in New Brunswick is $15.65 per hour, lower than Canada’s minimum wage of $17.75. (Source)
This affects the NB workforce who earn the minimum wage across all communities in the province, including Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Dieppe, Riverview, Miramichi, Bathurst, Edmundston, Campbellton, Quispamsis, Rothesay, Caraquet, Sackville, Woodstock, Oromocto, Grand Falls, St. Stephen and every other municipality throughout New Brunswick.
New Brunswick Minimum Wage History
In recent years, the minimum wage in New Brunswick has increased incrementally from 2019 to 2025:
| Effective Date | Minimum Wage | Increase |
| April 1, 2025 | $15.65 | $0.35 |
| April 1, 2024 | $15.30 | $0.55 |
| April 1, 2023 | $14.75 | $1.00 |
| October 1, 2022 | $13.75 | $2.00 |
| April 1, 2022 | $12.75 | $1.00 |
| April 1, 2021 | $11.75 | $0.05 |
| April 1, 2020 | $11.70 | $0.20 |
| April 1, 2019 | $11.50 | – |
The recent wage adjustment reflects economic conditions in the province. According to the Government of New Brunswick, the increase corresponds to New Brunswick’s consumer price index growth of 2.2% in 2024.
It helps ensure that workers’ purchasing power doesn’t erode over time, although public discussion continues whether these inflation-adjusted rates are enough to provide a true “livable wage.”
Who is Covered by New Brunswick’s Minimum Wage Laws?
New Brunswick’s provincial minimum wage applies to a wide range of employees. This includes:
- Full-time and part-time employees.
- Casual employees hired for short-term or irregular work
- Seasonal workers who are employed during specific times of the year
- Temporary staff working through agencies or on fixed-term contracts
- Probationary employees, even during their trial periods
- Both hourly workers and salaried employees
- Students and youth workers.
That said, most workers in the province are protected by New Brunswick’s minimum wage rules. However, there are a few exceptions and special cases where different rules may apply.
Minimum Wage Exemptions in New Brunswick
The minimum wage rules don’t apply to everyone. There are a few types of jobs that operate under separate pay rules or are completely exempt.
Workers Under Federal Rules
If you work in an industry regulated by the federal government, you are covered by the federal minimum wage at $17.75 per hour, not New Brunswick’s provincial rate. These industries typically include:
- Banks
- Airlines, interprovincial railways, and cross-provincial trucking companies
- Telecommunications and broadcasting (radio, TV)
- Postal services
Workers on Provincially Funded Construction Projects
Moreover, a significant exception within provincial law applies to individuals employed in construction projects funded by the Province of New Brunswick. These workers are entitled to specific minimum wage rates set for their trade. For example:
- Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics: $24.57/hr
- Bricklayers: $20.92/hr
- Cement finishers: $17.30/hr
- Electricians: $20.62/hr
- Traffic controllers: $10.37/hr
- Equipment operators: $15.75/hr
- Mechanics: $16.88/hr
- Iron and steel workers: $24.15/hr
- Line installers: $15.29/hr
- Plasterers: $15.78/hr
- Painters: $15.69/hr
- Security officers: $13.92/hr
- Carpenters: $14.92/hr
Source: https://laws.gnb.ca/en/showfulldoc/cr/2007-34
Live-in Caregivers & Summer Camp Counsellors
In New Brunswick, counsellors and program staff at eligible residential summer camps are covered by a separate minimum wage regulation that sets a weekly minimum pay amount.
Employers cannot deduct board and lodging from this minimum. Live-in caregivers and other domestic workers are generally covered by provincial minimum wage rules, but some immigration or employment contracts may give them extra protections.
What to Expect for New Brunswick’s Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in New Brunswick increases each April 1 based on the previous year’s CPI.
For June 2025, New Brunswick’s CPI increased by 1.2% compared to the year before. Based on this formula, the 2026 minimum wage increase will likely land between $0.35 and $0.45.
This upcoming adjustment is expected to spark renewed discussion across the province. Here are five key arguments that may come up:
- Labour advocates: The increase should be accelerated and exceed indexation to better cover the costs of living. The minimum wage will still fall well short of a “livable wage”.
- Business groups: Additional rapid minimum wage hikes beyond indexation could further strain employers. Margins are already tight with inflation.
- Public: Polls show most New Brunswick residents support having the highest minimum wage in Atlantic Canada. But opinion divides on how fast it should rise.
- Government: We will likely need to balance economic competitiveness, business concerns, and worker needs in setting the 2025 rate.
More details about the final rate will be released as April 2026 approaches. So make sure you stay informed about this. This will make it easier for both employers and employees to adjust to the new minimum wage when it takes effect.
How Reporting Pay Works in New Brunswick
If you’re scheduled for a shift, you travel to your job, ready to work, but your employer sends you home after just an hour because it’s unexpectedly quiet.
This is where “reporting pay” comes in. It’s a rule designed to compensate employees for their time and effort when they show up for a scheduled shift but are sent home early.
In New Brunswick, the rule is straightforward: in most cases, if you report for a scheduled shift and there’s little or no work available, you’re entitled to the greater of:
- 3 hours’ pay at the minimum wage (or overtime rate)
- The hours you actually worked at your regular wage rate.
This means that whether you work for 30 minutes or 2.5 hours, you are entitled to a minimum of 3 hours’ pay.
However, there are four specific situations where an employer is not required to provide reporting pay:
- Labour Disputes: Work is unavailable because of a strike or lockout.
- Events Beyond the Employer’s Control: Work is unavailable due to circumstances the employer couldn’t reasonably prevent, such as a fire, flood, major power outage, or essential equipment failure.
- Employee Leaves Voluntarily: You decide to go home early for your own reasons, without being asked to by your employer.
- Disciplinary Reasons: You are suspended or sent home as part of a disciplinary action.
The Impacts of Minimum Wage in New Brunswick
Minimum wage changes affect stakeholders like workers, businesses, and the government, but views on their impact differ.
Impact on Minimum Wage Workers
Around 6% of employees earn minimum wage in New Brunswick (Source). So this higher minimum wage means for them on both sides:
| Potential benefits | Potential drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Increased take-home pay, reduced financial stress Gain greater spending power and economic security Improved standard of living if wages rise with costs | Risk of reduced hours or job loss if labour costs rise Employers may limit hiring and training positions Prices could increase, offsetting wage gains |
Overall, most evidence shows that moderate minimum wage hikes benefit low-income earners. However, large sudden increases can jeopardize employment prospects for vulnerable workers.
Impact on Businesses and Jobs
Minimum wage changes also affect the bottom line and hiring for New Brunswick employers:
| Potential benefits | Potential drawbacks |
|---|---|
| It may boost productivity, performance, and service quality Decreased turnover resulting in lower recruitment costs Stronger consumer spending power in the provincial economy | Payroll expenses rise, reducing profit margins Forced to pass costs to customers via price increases This could result in reduced hiring or job cuts Small businesses with tight budgets are hit hardest |
The impact depends on each employer’s profit margins and reliance on minimum-wage staff, but sectors like retail and hospitality are very exposed.
Impact on Government Budgets and Social Assistance
Higher minimum wages also influence the provincial government’s finances:
| Potential benefits | Potential drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Increased income and sales tax revenue from stronger consumption Reduced demand for social assistance and income supplements | Rising wage costs for public sector workers Contractors on government projects face higher labour costs Could shrink the labour supply if minimum wages exceed welfare incomes |
Government policy aims to balance reasonable minimum wage growth with fiscal prudence and private sector competitiveness.
Key Takeaways on Minimum Wage in New Brunswick
Minimum wage laws protect employees from unfair pay while supporting economic growth. New Brunswick’s careful minimum wage policy balances these goals.
Key takeaways include:
- The general minimum wage has increased 5 years in a row, reaching $15.65 per hour as of April 2025.
- Indexing annual increases to CPI provides stability for employers and employees.
- However, the minimum wage remains contentious, with perspectives differing on its impact.
Going forward, policymakers must weigh minimum wage adequacy for low-income earners against potential risks to small businesses and employment.
New Brunswick strives for a happy medium with gradual, predictable increases. However, vigorous debate on this topic will continue between interest groups across the province.
The minimum wage in Canada varies across different provinces and territories. Explore more at:
- Minimum Wage in Manitoba
- Minimum Wage in Alberta
- Minimum Wage in British Columbia
- Minimum Wage in Ontario
- Minimum Wage in Saskatchewan
- Minimum Wage in Nunavut
- Minimum Wage in Yukon
FAQs related to minimum wage in New Brunswick
Why does New Brunswick minimum wage increase each year?
New Brunswick minimum wage increases each year according to changes in the Consumer Price Index to ensure wages keep up with the cost of living and inflation. This indexation policy was implemented in 2019.
When will the minimum wage increase in New Brunswick next?
The minimum wage in New Brunswick increases annually on April 1st under the indexation policy. The next increase is expected on April 1, 2026 based on the 2025 CPI data.
Do all jobs in New Brunswick pay minimum wage?
No, only about 5% of employees in New Brunswick earn the minimum wage. Some roles like construction tradespeople, summer camp staff, and federally regulated workers have different pay rules.
Who sets the minimum wage in New Brunswick?
The minimum wage is set by the provincial government of New Brunswick based on recommendations from the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.
Why are some against raising minimum wage in New Brunswick?
Some business groups argue that large minimum wage hikes in New Brunswick could hurt small businesses by increasing costs and forcing job cuts or reduced hiring.
