Everything You Need To Know About Manitoba’s Minimum Wage
We are currently in a time of high inflation, which has proven that minimum wage is certainly not liveable. The good news? Manitoba is looking to increase the minimum wage to help combat the consequences of inflation much like other provinces. As of March 2025, Manitoba’s minimum wage stands at $15.80 per hour, which reflects a $0.50 increase from the previous rate of $15.30. Over the last few years, Manitoba has established a pattern of increasing the minimum wage every October to keep up with the rise of inflation and living costs.
But will we see another increase this year? If so, how much? In today’s blog, let’s take a look at the current minimum wage in Manitoba and how it could change this year. Let’s go!
Manitoba has updated its minimum wage several times over the years, with the most recent change on October 1, 2024, when the province’s minimum wage increased to $15.80 per hour. The reason for this change was to keep up with the ongoing inflation and rising cost of living.
Most employees, including part-time and young workers, are covered under this wage. However, some exemptions apply, like certain trainees and election workers. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, you should check Manitoba’s Employment Standards page.
For employers, this means updating payroll, employment contracts, and handbooks to make sure that all wages are compliant with the wage update. Workers should also double-check their pay to confirm they’re receiving the right amount.
Manitoba’s latest minimum wage increase to $15.80 per hour is great news for workers, but how is it affecting businesses?
A raise in the minimum wage helps minimum wage employees offset rising living costs. More money in your pocket means a little less stress at the checkout, but you may not be so lucky after all. Sometimes businesses cut hours or slow down hiring to manage the extra costs which in turn, means you make less money.
Small businesses, in particular, are feeling the pressure when it comes to wage increases. Higher wages mean higher payroll costs, which could lead to price increases, fewer staff hours, or even downsizing as a whole. On a more positive note, paying employees more can reduce turnover and help contribute to better customer service, but at the end of the day, it’s really a balancing act. The real test will be how businesses and workers adjust in the long run.
So we know now that the minimum wage in Manitoba has changed recently, but how does it compare to other provinces? As of March 2025, minimum wage rates across Canadian provinces and territories vary, and they reflect the differences in the regional cost of living. Here’s where Manitoba stands in terms of other provinces.
| Canadian Provinces and Territories | Minimum Wage As Of March 2025 |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | $17.40 per hour (effective June 1, 2024), with an increase to $17.85 per hour scheduled for June 1, 2025. |
| Alberta | $15.00 per hour (effective since June 26, 2019). |
| Saskatchewan | $15.00 per hour (effective October 1, 2024). |
| Manitoba | $15.80 per hour (effective October 1, 2024). |
| Ontario | $17.20 per hour (effective October 1, 2024), with a projected increase to $17.82 per hour on October 1, 2025. |
| Quebec | $15.75 per hour (effective May 1, 2024), with an increase to $16.10 per hour scheduled for May 1, 2025. |
| PEI | $16.00 per hour (effective October 1, 2024). |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $15.60 per hour (effective April 1, 2024). |
| New Brunswick | $15.30 per hour (effective April 1, 2024). |
| Nova Scotia | $15.20 per hour (effective April 1, 2024), with scheduled increases to $15.70 on April 1, 2025, and $16.50 on October 1, 2025. |
| Yukon | $17.59 per hour (effective April 1, 2024), with an increase to $17.94 per hour scheduled for April 1, 2025. |
| Nunavut | $19.00 per hour (effective January 1, 2024) |
| Northwest Territories | $16.70 per hour (effective September 1, 2024). |
As you can see, Manitoba doesn’t have the highest minimum wage in the country, but it certainly doesn’t have the lowest either. You should also consider that the federal minimum wage is set at $17.30 per hour and is scheduled to increase to $17.75 per hour on April 1, 2025, so Manitoba and other provinces, such as Alberta, may increase the minimum wage.
Manitoba’s minimum wage has climbed steadily over the years but is it really enough to keep up with rising living costs? With inflation pushing up the price of everything, many workers argue that even $15.80 still falls short of what’s needed to make ends meet.
In the future, the province will likely continue adjusting wages based on inflation, but some are calling for more aggressive increases to match provinces like British Columbia and Ontario, where wages are $17 or higher.
The only problem though, is can small businesses afford another minimum wage hike? Smaller businesses worry about balancing payroll costs, especially as wages increase; this may affect how often they hire and the hours they give to their employees.
So as the cost of living continues to rise and with the federal minimum wage increase, can we expect another wage hike in Manitoba? The short answer is…well… maybe.
