Minimum wage in Manitoba aims to ensure fair baseline compensation for workers while considering impacts on businesses and the broader economy.
For a business owner, it’s an important number in the budget that influences hiring and prices. For employees, it’s the main part of their household income. But what is that number, exactly?
What is the Minimum Wage in Manitoba for 2025?
The general minimum wage in Manitoba is $16 per hour as of October 1, 2025, which is lower than Canada’s federal minimum wage of $17.75.
This covers all Manitoba communities, including Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Thompson, Portage la Prairie, Winkler, Selkirk, Morden, Dauphin, The Pas, Flin Flon, Churchill, Neepawa, and Stonewall.
Manitoba Minimum Wage Rates History
For a long time, Manitoba’s minimum wage followed a very predictable path. Each year, it would get a small bump, usually just enough to keep up with the gentle rise in the cost of living.
Starting at $9.00 per hour in 2009, the wage received small, regular bumps each year.
But that pattern changed dramatically in recent years. As prices for essentials like groceries and gas started climbing much faster, the government responded with much larger wage increases to help people manage the higher cost of living.
That said, the long-term trend has still been an incremental curve rather than dramatic spikes.
Minimum Wage Rates in Manitoba 2009-2025
| Year | Minimum Wage in Manitoba | % Increase |
| 2025 | $16.00 | 1.3% |
| 2024 | $15.80 | 3.3% |
| 2023 | $15.30 | 8.2% |
| 2022 | $13.50 | 13.1% |
| 2021 | $11.95 | 0.4% |
| 2020 | $11.90 | 1.7% |
| 2019 | $11.65 | 2.5% |
| 2018 | $11.35 | 1.8% |
| 2017 | $11.15 | 2.7% |
| 2016 | $11.00 | 2.3% |
| 2015 | $11.00 | 0.0% |
| 2014 | $10.70 | 2.6% |
| 2013 | $10.45 | 2.5% |
| 2012 | $10.25 | 2.5% |
| 2011 | $10.00 | 5.3% |
| 2010 | $9.50 | 2.6% |
| 2009 | $9.00 | – |
Who Does Minimum Wage Apply To in Manitoba?
The $16.00 per hour minimum wage applies to most employees working in Manitoba under provincially regulated employers.
It doesn’t matter how you are paid or how many hours you work, Manitoba’s employment laws are designed to provide broad protection.
This means the minimum wage applies to:
- Part-time employees, even those who only work a few hours a week.
- Commission salespeople, who are paid based on their sales.
- Flat-rate mechanics, who are paid a set amount per job.
- Residential construction workers.
- Young people aged 13 and older who are eligible to work.
Whether someone works 10 hours per week or 40, whether they’re paid hourly or by commission, the minimum wage floor applies.
Who is Not Covered by Minimum Wage in Manitoba?
While Manitoba has a general minimum wage that applies broadly, there are three groups that are not covered by minimum wage laws:
Domestic workers
This applies to people who work in a private home (like a housekeeper, cleaner, or caregiver) for fewer than 12 hours a week. If they work 12 hours or more in a week, they must be paid at least minimum wage for all hours worked.
People in Certain Training Programs
If you are part of an official, government-approved training program, minimum wage rules might not apply for the duration of the training. This is because the education and skills you gain are considered a key part of your compensation.
Temporary Election Workers
People hired for a short time to help run provincial elections (like poll clerks or people who register voters) are not covered by minimum wage. Their pay is set by different government rules specifically for elections.
However, these exclusions are deliberately narrow. They do not extend to students, young workers, or probationary employees, all of whom must receive the full minimum wage of $16.00 per hour.
How is Minimum Wage Determined in Manitoba?
Manitoba’s general minimum wage is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which allows Manitoba to account for inflationary increases in the cost of living.
Specifically, the formula dictates that on October 1 of each year, the minimum wage will be adjusted by the percentage change in the CPI from the previous calendar year. However, if the CPI increase is very small, the provincial government can delay or modify the scheduled increase, leaving the minimum wage unchanged for that year.
While this indexing aims to keep pace with inflation, the government also has the discretion to set additional increases above and beyond the formula. This was done with a series of phased hikes starting in 2022 to counteract exceptionally high inflation. The result has been a higher rate today than what the formula alone would have dictated.
Going forward, the minimum wage rate will continue to be reviewed annually and adjusted according to the province’s economic conditions. However, indexing based on CPI provides a consistent mechanism for incremental changes.
How Manitoba Minimum Wage Compares to Other Canadian Provinces in 2025
As of 2025, Manitoba’s minimum wage is $16.00 per hour. This rate puts the province squarely in the middle of the pack, offering a competitive wage when compared to some regions but falling behind the country’s highest payers.
Leading the way are provinces with major urban centres and higher living costs:
- Minimum wage in British Columbia: $17.85 per hour
- Minimum wage in Ontario: $17.60 per hour
Looking closer to home, Manitoba’s rate stands out among its Prairie neighbours.
- Minimum wage in Saskatchewan: $15.35 per hour.
- Minimum wage in Alberta: $15.00 per hour.
This contrast highlights Manitoba’s position as a wage leader within the Prairie region, offering a full dollar more per hour than its direct neighbours to the west.
Beyond the Prairies, the rest of the country presents a mixed landscape. Quebec maintains a wage $16.10 per hour, which is quite similar to Manitoba’s, placing it firmly in that same middle tier.
In essence, Manitoba’s minimum wage strategy places it in a balanced and competitive position. It leads its immediate neighbours while remaining aligned with a significant group of provinces in Central and Eastern Canada.
Is Manitoba’s Minimum Wage Enough to Live On?
While Manitoba has increased the minimum wage substantially in recent years, there are calls for it to rise further and match a more adequate “living wage.” A household’s living wage is the estimated hourly rate for basic living expenses within a specific community. It varies by region to account for local costs.
According to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the living wage for a family of four (2 adults and two children) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is currently $18.75 per hour as of June 2025. This is $2.75 above the Manitoba general minimum wage.
This difference is why many advocates and community groups are pushing for the minimum wage to climb higher. They argue that the minimum wage should be high enough for full-time workers to support their families without falling into poverty.
However, raising the minimum wage also brings concerns about job losses, higher prices, and the financial pressure it may place on small businesses. Because of this, the debate continues over how quickly and how much the minimum wage should rise.
Your Workplace Rights as a Minimum Wage Employee in Manitoba
Working for minimum wage in Manitoba doesn’t mean you have minimum rights. In fact, a wide range of legal safeguards is in place to protect you:
Getting Paid Correctly and On Time
One of your most fundamental rights is to be paid on time. It’s not acceptable for an employer to consistently pay you late.
If your employer fails to pay you what you’re owed, you can file a complaint with your provincial Employment Standards branch. They have the authority to order your employer to provide your back pay and may even issue fines.
Fair Notice if Your Job Ends
An employer generally cannot fire you on the spot without a valid, serious reason (known as “termination with cause“). If you are let go “without cause,” you are entitled to either a period of reasonable notice or pay instead of that notice.
The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work
Your safety at work is non-negotiable. If you have a reasonable belief that a task or a workplace condition could put you or someone else in immediate danger, you have the legal right to refuse to do that work. You cannot be disciplined or fired for exercising this right.
3-Hour Reporting Pay Rule
This rule protects you from losing out on pay when your shift is unexpectedly cut short. If you show up for your scheduled shift and are sent home by your employer before you have worked at least three hours, you are still entitled to be paid for a minimum of three hours at your regular wage.
Receive overtime pay
Overtime is any time you work beyond the standard hours. In Manitoba, standard hours of work are 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. If you work more than the standard hours, you must receive overtime pay at 1.5 times your regular wage.
The bottom line
Manitoba’s minimum wage has increased over the years, but it continues to change as the cost of living and the economy shift. Knowing the current rate is important as you can make sure you’re earning what you’re entitled to. Keep track of updates promptly so you can plan your budget and understand your rights at work.
FAQs related to Minimum Wage in Manitoba
Who sets the minimum wage in Manitoba?
The Manitoba provincial government sets the minimum wage through employment standards legislation.
When was the minimum wage first introduced in Manitoba?
Manitoba first introduced minimum wage legislation in 1918 with rates between $0.25-$0.45 per hour, depending on sector and gender.
Does the minimum wage increase apply to all Manitoba workers?
The general minimum wage applies to most employees, but some occupations have lower rates or are exempt per legislation.
Do students receive minimum wage in Manitoba?
Yes, students are entitled to the full $16.00 per hour minimum wage in Manitoba regardless of their age or the number of hours worked. There is no reduced "student wage" in the province.
When does Manitoba minimum wage increase each year?
Manitoba minimum wage increases annually on October 1, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index from the preceding year.
