Minimum Wage
Employees must be paid at least minimum wage per hour
The minimum wage in B.C. is $13.85 an hour (as of June 1, 2019).
- June 1, 2020 – $14.60 an hour
- June 1, 2021 – $15.20 an hour
Previously, the minimum wage was $12.65 per hour (June 1, 2018 to May 30, 2019).
Minimum wage applies regardless of how employees are 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 types of employees have different wage rates
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
Liquor servers must be paid the liquor server minimum wage rate for hours worked, in addition to any tips or gratuities they receive. The rate does not change from shift to shift – even if liquor is not served on every shift.
- September 15, 2017 – $10.10 per hour
- June 1, 2018 – $11.40 per hour
- June 1, 2019 – $12.70 per hour
- June 1, 2020 – $13.95 per hour
- June 1, 2021 – $15.20 per hour (this rate is the same as regular minimum wage)
The following types of employees are paid regular minimum wage, even if they occasionally serve liquor:
- Staff who only mix or pour liquor that is then delivered to customers by a server
- Hosts and hostesses
- Bussers
- Kitchen staff whose main duties do not include serving liquor (e.g. cooks, dishwashers, etc.)
Live-in camp leaders are paid a daily rate.
- September 15, 2017 – $90.80 for each day or part day worked
- June 1, 2018 – $101.24 for each day or part day worked
- June 1, 2019 – $110.87
- June 1, 2020 – $116.86
- June 1, 2021 – $121.65
Live-in home support workers are paid a daily rate.
- September 15, 2017 – $113.50 per day or part day worked
| For an apartment building containing 9 to 60 suites | For an apartment building containing more than 60 suites | |
|---|---|---|
| September 15, 2017 | $681 per month plus $27.29 for each suite | $2,319.65 per month |
| June 1, 2018 | $759.32 per month plus $30.43 for each suite | $2,586.40 per month |
| June 1, 2019 | $831.45 per month plus $33.32 for each suite | $2,832.11 per month |
| June 1, 2020 | $876.35 per month plus $35.12 for each suite | $2,985.04 per month |
| June 1, 2021 | $912.28 per month plus $35.56 for each suite | $3,107.42 per month |
All farm workers must be paid at least minimum wage – except for those doing piece work.
Farm workers who harvest certain crops by hand may be paid a piece rate. The rate must be at least the minimum piece rate for each crop. Employers must post notices that state:
- The volume of the picking containers
- The volume or weight needed to fill a container
- The piece rate for the crop
Farm worker piece rates, including vacation pay (four percent)
|
Crop |
January 1, 2019 |
|---|---|
|
Apples |
$21.06 a bin (27.1 ft3 / 0.767 m3) |
|
Apricots |
$24.23 a 1/2 bin (13.7 ft3 / 0.388 m3) |
|
Beans |
$0.289 a pound / $0.637 a kg |
|
Blueberries |
$0.488 a pound / $1.077 a kg |
|
Brussels sprouts |
$0.201 a pound / $0.443 a kg |
|
Cherries |
$0.277 a pound / $0.610 a kg |
|
Grapes |
$22.38 a 1/2 bin (13.7 ft3 / 0.388 m3) |
|
Mushrooms |
$0.290 a pound / $0.639 a kg |
|
Peaches |
$22.38 a 1/2 bin (12.6 ft3 / 0.357 m3) |
|
Pears |
$23.72 a bin (27.1 ft3 / 0.767 m3) |
|
Peas |
$0.360 a pound / $0.794 a kg |
|
Prune plums |
$23.72 a 1/2 bin (13.7 ft3 / 0.388 m3) |
|
Raspberries |
$0.440 a pound / 0.971 a kg |
|
Strawberries |
$0.424 a pound / $0.934 a kg |
|
Daffodils |
$0.169 a bunch (10 stems) |
Farm workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) must be paid according to the SAWP contract.
Employment Standards Act
