The Manitoba minimum wage is currently $15.80 per hour. It changed on October 1, 2024, up from $15.30 per hour for an increase of roughly 3.3%.
Manitoba's minimum wage is assessed annually and follows a formula that's tied to the previous year's rate of inflation. There are plans for an additional hike in October 2025, up to $16 per hour.
Below is more information about Manitoba's minimum wage, upcoming wage increases, how it compares to other provinces, and more.
Key Takeaways
- The minimum wage in Manitoba is currently $15.80 per hour.
- The most recent change to Manitoba's minimum wage was on October 1, 2024.
- This rate will increase again on October 1, 2025 to $16 per hour.
- The federal minimum wage was increased on April 1, 2025 for federally regulated industries to $17.75.
Minimum wage increases in Manitoba
The most recent minimum wage increase in Manitoba was in October 2024 when the rate went from $15.30 to $15.80. In October 2025, the wage will increase again, up to $16.
The government cites the ongoing financial challenges that Manitoba workers face and increasing inflation as key reasons for the continual increases. The province calculates the minimum wage increase each year using inflation data from previous years, so the upcoming 2025 increase was calculated using 2024’s inflation numbers.
Who is eligible for Manitoba’s minimum wage increase?
Minimum wage increases apply province-wide, but there are several existing exceptions to minimum wage regulations. Some of the most notable exceptions include:
- Domestic workers working less than 12 hours per week
- Workers in specific approved provincial or federal training programs
- Election officials or other temporary workers under the Elections Act
Unlike some other provinces, Manitoba doesn't have a general exception based on age or student status – the regular rate applies to all employees, regardless of age. The minimum wage also applies to employees paid by commission, meaning an employer is responsible for topping up wages if an employee doesn’t earn the equivalent of minimum wage over any pay period.
Manitoba minimum wage history
Manitoba implemented annual index minimum wage increases in 2017, and increases have occurred regularly on October 1st since 2009.
When inflation was stable and low, this meant only minor increases. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors saw the CPI rise rapidly from 2021 to 2023, but things have stabilized somewhat.
Here's a look at wage increases over the years – note that there was an extra increase made on April 1, 2023, that saw the rate increase from $13.50 to $14.15 per hour:
| Year | Minimum wage in Manitoba |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $15.80 |
| 2023 | $15.30 |
| 2023 | $14.15 |
| 2022 | $13.50 |
| 2021 | $11.95 |
| 2020 | $11.90 |
| 2019 | $11.65 |
| 2018 | $11.35 |
| 2017 | $11.15 |
| 2015 | $11.00 |
| 2014 | $10.70 |
| 2013 | $10.45 |
| 2012 | $10.25 |
| 2011 | $10.00 |
| 2010 | $9.50 |
| 2009 | $9.00 |
What is a living wage in Manitoba?
A living wage is defined as the hourly wage a person needs to earn to meet their basic needs in a specific location.
In December 2023, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calculated the average living wage in Winnipeg, for a family of 4, to be $19.21 per hour – still far below the province’s current minimum wage of $15.80.
The living wage has likely increased since then, though we don’t have any more current studies.
Federal minimum wage increase
The federal minimum wage was increased to $17.75 on April 1, 2025. The federal minimum wage is calculated annually based on Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), relative to the CPI of the previous year.
This change will increase the minimum wage for workers in federally regulated private sectors, which include (but are not limited to):
- Banks
- Postal services
- Air and road transportation
- Telecommunications (telephone, internet, etc.)
- Radio and TV broadcasting
In cases where the provincial or territorial minimum wage rate is higher than the federal rate, employees in federally regulated private sectors will receive the higher of the two wages.
FAQ
What is minimum wage in Manitoba?
The minimum wage in Manitoba is $15.80, with an increase to $16 scheduled for October 1, 2025. This is still quite a bit lower than the estimated $19.21/hr needed for a living wage.
Is minimum wage going up in Manitoba in 2025?
Yes. Manitoba minimum wage will increase to $16 per hour on October 1, 2025. This will be exactly a year since the previous rate increase when the minimum wage was set at $15.80 per hour.
How often does minimum wage go up in Manitoba?
The minimum wage in Manitoba has increased at least once each year since 2001 (it increased twice in 2023), except for 2016. This rate will go up on October 1, 2025, and likely again in 2026 as well.
Does Manitoba have the lowest minimum wage in Canada?
No, at $15.80, Manitoba's minimum wage is mid- to low-range when compared to other provinces. Nunavut has the highest minimum wage at $19.00/hr, and Saskatchewan's minimum wage is with Alberta for the lowest, at $15.00/hr.
What is the security guard minimum wage in Manitoba?
Manitoba used to have a unique minimum wage for security guards, but repealed this exception in 2022. The change came into effect on October 1st, 2022, so security guards now earn the typical minimum wage rate of $15.80.
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