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.

Find out why the minimum wage rate is being increased over the next few years.

Some types of employees have different minimum wage rates

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Liquor servers

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

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

Live-in home support workers are paid a daily rate.

September 15, 2017 – $113.50 per day or part day worked

Resident caretakers

Resident Caretakers Minimum Wage
	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

Some types of employees are paid a piece rate

A piece rate is a rate of pay based on a measurable quantity of work completed. Employees must be told what the piece rates are before they start work. They may also be paid a different set wage for specific tasks (e.g. paid an hourly rate).

Find out about piece rates for farm workers.

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References from the Employment Standards Act and Regulation