Student Minimum Wage in Ontario: 2025 Updates

Ontario has a separate minimum wage rate specifically for students under 18 years old who meet specific criteria. This student minimum wage aims to balance the needs of younger and less experienced workers with employer expectations.

Understanding their rights and obligations related to minimum wage in Ontario is crucial for students entering the workforce while pursuing their education.

What is the Student Minimum Wage in Ontario?

The hourly rate for Ontario’s student minimum wage stands at $16.60 per hour as of October 1, 2025. This represents a 40-cent increase from the previous student rate of $16.20.

In comparison, Ontario’s general minimum wage is currently $17.60 per hour, as of October 1, 2025. So, there is a $1 gap between the regular and student minimum wages.

Ontario’s minimum wage rates, including the student minimum wage, are reviewed annually and typically increased every October 1.

Ontario Student Minimum Wage Rates by Year

To understand how Ontario’s student minimum wage has progressed over time, here is a summary of historical hourly rate increases:

Effective Date	New Rate	Increase
October 1, 2025	$16.60	$0.40
October 1, 2024	$16.20	$0.60
October 1, 2023	$15.60	$1.00
Jan 1, 2022	$14.10	$0.10
October 1, 2020	$13.50	$0.45

The table shows that Ontario’s student minimum wage has increased incrementally over the past several years.

These increases gradually raise the hourly minimum wage for eligible student workers under age 18 in Ontario. Employers should prepare for and comply with the updated student minimum wage requirements.

Source: Minimum wage, Government of Ontario

Who Qualifies for the Student Minimum Wage in Ontario?

To be eligible for Ontario’s student minimum wage rate, employees must:

Be under 18 years of age
Work 28 hours per week or less when school is in session
Work during school holidays or breaks

While the Employment Standards Act does not define “student,” the student wage generally applies to individuals attending elementary, secondary, or post-secondary school. However, it’s important to note that to qualify for the student minimum wage, the worker must be under 18 years old. Many first and second-year college or university students over 18 would receive the general adult minimum wage, not the student rate.

Employers are responsible for verifying student status and ensuring employees meet the student minimum wage eligibility criteria. They may request proof of enrolment from younger workers to confirm their student status.

What Are the Student Wage Rules in Ontario?

Students in Ontario have specific rules for their wages. These rules help students earn fair wages while working part-time or during school breaks.

Three-Hour Minimum Shift Payment

In Ontario, there is a three-hour rule in certain situations (for example, when an employee reports to work but works less than three hours).

In this case, employers have to pay students for a minimum of 3 hours for each scheduled shift, even if they finish early, unless the early end results from uncontrollable situations like power outages.

For example, a student earning $16.60 per hour will receive at least $49.80 for a shift (3 hours x $16.60).

However, there are 2 exceptions:

Children’s Camp Positions: Students working at children’s camps are exempt from the three-hour minimum requirement. This acknowledges the flexible scheduling needs at camps, affecting all roles, including those of counsellors and support staff.

Recreational Program Instructors: Students instructing or supervising children in charity-run recreational programs are also not affected by the three-hour rule. This includes roles such as swimming instructors, sports coaches, arts and crafts leaders, and activity supervisors.

Vacation Pay Entitlements

There are 9 paid public holidays in Ontario for all workers, including students:

New Year’s Day
Family Day
Good Friday
Victoria Day
Canada Day
Labour Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day

Student workers receive the same vacation and holiday benefits as other employees. Students can negotiate substitute days off or accept premium pay for holiday shifts.

Vacation pay is 4% of total wages for employees with less than 5 years of service, covering all earnings, including overtime. With more than 5 years of employment, vacation pay increases to 6%. Moreover, part-time students working variable hours benefit from percentage-based calculations.

What Happens If Students Work More Than 28 Hours Per Week?

A key requirement for Ontario’s minimum wage only applies to students working 28 hours per week or less.

If a student under 18 works more than 28 hours during a week when school is in session, they no longer qualify for the student minimum wage. Instead, they must be paid the general adult minimum wage for all hours worked that week.

Therefore, students who work 30 hours a week are entitled to the higher general minimum wage rather than the student wage for those hours. This remains true even if their total hours for the month, divided by 4 weeks, average 28 or less. Employers must pay the general rate for any specific week a student exceeds 28 hours. The rule allows for part-time work while keeping academics as a priority.

However, during school holidays, such as summer vacation, Christmas break, March break, etc., students can work more than 28 hours while still getting the student wage.

This flexibility allows increased earning opportunities without wage penalties during non-academic periods. Students can work full-time hours at student rates throughout vacation periods.

Why Does Ontario Have a Separate Student Minimum Wage?

Ontario introduced a particular sub-minimum wage for students under 18 to:

Help younger individuals enter the workforce and gain job experience
Balance the needs of younger, less experienced workers and employer expectations
Acknowledge that students may not provide equal productivity or value as adult workers

The student minimum wage incentivizes employers to hire young, inexperienced employees. It also recognizes that students juggle other responsibilities like schoolwork. As a result, the student rate seeks to strike a fair balance for both students and employers.

However, this two-tiered system remains controversial. Critics argue it is unfair and limits the earnings of younger workers. Supporters counter that it expands job opportunities that might not otherwise exist without a lower student wage.

Who is Exempt from the Student Minimum Wage in Ontario?

While standard regulations apply to most students in Ontario, there are 3 exceptional cases and exemptions to note:

Work Experience and Co-op Program Exemptions

If you’re a student in Ontario doing a work placement, co-op, or internship, it’s important to know that your position might not be covered by the province’s main employment law, the Employment Standards Act (ESA). The ESA is what sets the rules for things like minimum wage, overtime pay, and hours of work.

Your placement might be exempt from these rules if it’s an official part of a program approved by your university, college, or high school.

However, this exception is not a blanket rule and only applies in very specific situations. So you should you always verify the status of your program

Professional Training Exemptions

Due to the intensive education involved, students in specific fields like architecture, law, engineering, medicine, and optometry are not required to be paid during their training periods.

Camp Counsellor and Instructor Positions

Students working at children’s camps, such as counsellors or instructors, are exempt from minimum wage. They may receive payment in the form of room and board. So it’s important to check the total compensation before accepting these jobs.

Students should consult the Ministry of Labour to confirm exceptional cases related to their circumstances. Employers also need to ensure proper handling of any applicable exemptions.

The minimum wage in Canada varies across different provinces and territories. Explore our detailed articles:

The Bottom Line

To summarize key details on Ontario’s student minimum wage regulations:

The current student minimum wage is $16.60 per hour
Students must work 28 hours or less per week when school is in session
If students go over 28 hours, the general minimum wage applies
Upon turning 18, students get the general adult minimum wage
Increases to the student rate occur every October 1

Understanding both eligibility criteria and obligations is essential for employers and student workers. Proactively learning the specific regulations empowers both groups to ensure fair compensation practices.

For eligible students under 18 years old, Ontario’s special minimum wage rate seeks to balance their compensation with employer interests and expectations. Successfully navigating this nuanced two-tiered structure requires awareness and understanding from both student workers and businesses.

FAQs on Student Minimum Wage in Ontario

How much below the general minimum wage is the student rate?

The general adult minimum wage in Ontario is currently $17.60 per hour, which is $1 more per hour than the $16.60 student minimum wage.

What are the eligibility criteria for the student minimum wage?

To qualify for the student minimum wage in Ontario, workers must be under 18 years old, work 28 hours or less per week when school is in session, and work during school holidays or breaks.

What minimum wage applies to a 16 year old working full time in summer?

For students under 18, the minimum wage they earn depends on when they are working. During a school break, such as summer vacation, they can often still be paid the student minimum wage even if they work more than 28 hours a week. However, if they work more than 28 hours a week while school is in session, they must be paid the higher, at general minimum wage.

When do students get the full adult minimum wage?

In Ontario, students receive the general adult minimum wage upon turning 18 years old. They also earn this rate if they work over 28 hours while attending school or do not attend school.

Where can students learn more about their minimum wage rights?

Helpful resources include the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Ontario Federation of Labour, and other government sites outlining student minimum wage laws, eligibility, requirements and upcoming changes.

Is the student minimum wage enough to live on in Ontario?

Many argue that the student minimum wage does not provide enough income to independently cover tuition, living costs, and other expenses in Ontario, making it difficult to self-finance post-secondary education.

Can employers pay students less than minimum wage in Ontario?

No, employers cannot pay students less than the mandated minimum wage. There are strict rules around student wages and employers must adhere to them.

5/5 - (1 vote)