Minimum Wage in Saskatchewan: Updated Rates and Worker Rights

Saskatchewan has one of the lowest minimum wage in Canada. However, the province also has a relatively low cost of living compared to other parts of the country. This balance shapes how wages are set and how businesses manage their costs. That’s why it’s useful for everyone to understand how the minimum wage works, the current rate and when it might change.

What is the Minimum Wage in Saskatchewan for 2026?

The current general minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $15.35 per hour, as of October 1, 2025.

This rate applies to most employees working in the province under Saskatchewan’s jurisdiction, including Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Swift Current, North Battleford, Estevan, Weyburn, Lloydminster, Melfort, Humboldt, Meadow Lake, Kindersley, Warman, Martensville, Melville, La Ronge, and every other municipality across the province.

While this rate applies to most employees working in Saskatchewan, certain categories are exempt and will be covered in the section below. Also, workers in federally regulated industries (like banking) must follow federal minimum wage rules instead.

What are the Exemptions for Minimum Wage in Saskatchewan?

While most employees in Saskatchewan are entitled to the full legislated minimum wage, the following six groups are not subject to the general minimum wage rules:

• Farm workers: include farming, ranching, market labourers, and garden labourers.
• Babysitters: Exemption applies only to temporary, sporadic, or part-time babysitters.
• Athletes: Those engaged in amateur athletic activities.
• Non-profit volunteers: Volunteers working for non-profit organizations.
• People with disabilities: Applies only to specific rehab or training programs run by non-profits or institutions.
• Some home-based care providers: Cover helpers who offer short-term or occasional assistance in a private home

These groups account for a relatively small fraction of the workforce. However, employers who hire people in these categories must still follow all other applicable employment standards, such as hours of work, safety rules, and record-keeping requirements.

How Minimum Wages in Saskatchewan Are Calculated

Saskatchewan determines minimum wage rate changes using an indexation formula that gives equal weight to two key economic indicators:

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures consumer inflation and price changes, serving as an indicator of the overall cost of living. A higher CPI signals upward pressure on living expenses.
• Average Hourly Wage (AHW) tracks general wage growth across all employees in Saskatchewan, helping account for broader labour market conditions.

The province applies this formula annually, with the result rounded to the nearest five cents. Changes are typically announced on or before June 30 to take effect on October 1 of the same year.

Understanding Your Pay Beyond Minimum Wage in Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, your hourly rate is just the starting point. Provincial labour laws include important rules that ensure you are compensated fairly in special situations.

Reporting for Duty Pay

Reporting for duty pay ensures employees receive minimum compensation when they report in person to their scheduled shift at the employer’s worksite. Even if an employee is sent home without working any hours, they must be paid for reporting.

For most employees, the standard rule requires a 3-hour minimum payment at their regular hourly rate. This rule, however, does not apply to employees who are called in specifically to work overtime.

At the current minimum wage, this means $15.35 × 3 hours = $46.05 minimum payment when reporting for duty.

However, there’s an important exception for students during the school term and certain employees of school boards, such as bus drivers or noon-hour supervisors. For these workers, the minimum is one hour of pay for reporting to a shift. (Source)

On a public holiday, the employee is paid whichever is greater: reporting for duty pay or the pay for hours worked on the holiday (which is paid at 1.5× the regular hourly rate).

Overtime Pay for Extra Hours

When you work longer than your scheduled hours, you are entitled to overtime pay.

In Saskatchewan, the overtime rate is 1.5 times your regular hourly wage. Whether you are owed overtime depends on your work schedule. Overtime is calculated on both a daily and a weekly basis, and you are entitled to be paid for whichever amount is greater.

• Daily overtime is based on the hours you work beyond your scheduled shift. For example, if you are scheduled for an 8-hour day, you earn daily overtime for any time worked after those 8 hours.
• Weekly overtime is calculated on hours worked after 40 hours in a regular work week. However, in a week that includes a public holiday, this threshold is lowered to 32 hours.

Public Holiday Pay

Working on a public holiday in Saskatchewan comes with significant pay benefits, which are often broken into two parts.

First, for any hours you actually work on the holiday, you must be paid at 1.5 times your regular rate. This is a premium for working on that day.

On top of that, most eligible employees also receive “public holiday pay,” an amount equal to 5% of their gross wages from the four weeks leading up to the holiday, excluding overtime. You are entitled to this pay even if you don’t work on the holiday itself.

Crucially, you are eligible for public holiday pay regardless of how long you have been with your employer. Even if you have worked for less than four weeks, you are still entitled to this pay. In that case, it is calculated as 5% of the regular wages you have earned since your start date.

Minimum Wage vs. Living Wage in Saskatchewan

When evaluating the adequacy of the minimum wage, it is helpful to compare it to the concept of a “living wage.” The living wage is the hourly pay rate needed to cover basic family expenses within a community. It is calculated based on the actual living costs for different household types.

Saskatchewan’s living costs are also among Canada’s lowest. The 2025 average housing price in Saskatchewan cities is around $351,840, which is approximately 53% below the national average of $746,410. Lower housing costs do help make life more affordable, even with a lower minimum wage. (Source)

However, the living wage is still much higher than the current minimum wage:

This shows that while the minimum wage sets a basic legal standard, it does not meet the amount needed for a modest but decent standard of living in Saskatchewan’s largest cities. Many workers still fall short of what is required to cover essential expenses and fully participate in their communities.

Source: Saskatchewan has the second-lowest minimum wage in Canada

How Does Minimum Wage Apply to Youth Employment in Saskatchewan?

In Saskatchewan, the general minimum age for employment is 16 years old. Once an employee reaches this age, they are covered by the same general rules as adult workers.

A key point to understand is that Saskatchewan does not have a separate “youth” or “student” minimum wage. All employees, regardless of age, must be paid at least the current general minimum wage for all hours worked.

For younger workers, specifically those aged 14 and 15, a special set of regulations is in place to ensure their work is safe and does not interfere with their education:

It is also important to note that some industry restrictions continue to apply to all workers under the age of 18, particularly in hazardous environments. These special regulations help protect young people while providing opportunities for job experience.

What Are the Key Perspectives on Saskatchewan’s Minimum Wage?

There is an active debate among stakeholders regarding the minimum wage policy in Saskatchewan.

Labour groups like the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) have argued that minimum wage hikes should occur more quickly. These groups generally argue that the minimum wage should provide a “living wage” sufficient to afford reasonable living costs. Rates below this level leave full-time workers struggling.

The Saskatchewan government has argued that the minimum wage increases will support workers while maintaining a competitive business environment. The Minister of Labour Relations stated that the goal is to balance the needs of both employees and employers. The government has emphasized that the minimum wage is just one policy lever that helps low-income residents. Others include basic tax exemptions, child benefits, and income support.

Business advocacy groups, such as the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, have warned that sharp minimum wage hikes could hurt job creation or force cost cuts.

However, surveys indicate that most customers are willing to accept minor price increases in exchange for better wages. This may ease pressures on businesses somewhat.

The minimum wage debate involves balancing workers living standards and corporate costs. Both sides have reasonable arguments, and the optimal policy is likely somewhere in the middle.

The bottom line

To summarize key facts:

• Saskatchewan currently has one of the lowest minimum wages in Canada ($15.35/hour).
• Labour groups argue increases should be faster and tied to living costs.
• Living wage estimates are above $18 per hour in major cities.
• Special rules apply to youth workers.

The minimum wage will likely continue to be a hot topic in Saskatchewan, with debate over the rate and timing of increases. The province will need to find a middle ground supporting lower-income earners while maintaining a competitive business environment.

The minimum wage in Canada can vary significantly between different provinces and territories at any given time. Gain more insights:

• Minimum Wage in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Minimum Wage in British Columbia
• Minimum Wage in Nova Scotia
• Minimum Wage in Ontario
• Minimum Wage in Prince Edward Island
• Minimum Wage in Quebec
• Minimum Wage in Northwest Territories

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