As of April 2025, the minimum wage in Nova Scotia is $15.70 per hour.
This rate follows government regulations that require an annual review, and these reviews have prompted a change in the wage every year, with more significant increases in recent years to account for changes in the inflation rate in Canada.
Let's take a look at minimum wage in Nova Scotia – how it has and will continue to change.
Key Takeaways
- The minimum wage in Nova Scotia is currently $15.70 per hour.
- The last minimum wage increase was on April 1, 2025.
- The next wage increase is set for October 1, 2025, which will bring it up to $16.50 per hour.
- The federal minimum wage was increased on April 1, 2025 for federally regulated industries to $17.75 per hour.
What is the minimum wage in Nova Scotia?
Currently, the minimum wage in Nova Scotia is $15.70 per hour. This is similar to wages in other Atlantic provinces, but still the fourth-lowest in Canada.
Here's how the Atlantic provinces measure up:
- Minimum wage in New Brunswick: $15.65 per hour
- Minimum wage in PEI: $16.00 per hour
- Minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador: $16.00 per hour
Was there a minimum wage increase in Nova Scotia in 2025?
Yes, the minimum wage was raised to $15.70 on April 1, 2025, adjusted to inflation plus an additional 1% annually. It will be raised again on October 1, 2025.
How is Nova Scotia minimum wage determined?
The Nova Scotia minimum wage is largely based on changes to inflation and the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as it is in most provinces.
CPI measures the changes in the cost of a basket of consumer goods over time and determines how much the cost of living has increased or decreased in a defined location.
Inflation measures how overall prices rise. It can also be looked at as how our purchasing power declines over time. There was more than one Bank of Canada rate cut in 2024 and a few cuts in 2025, all to maintain the health of the country's economy.
What are the expectations for Nova Scotia minimum wage in 2025?
While the minimum wage for Nova Scotians was raised in April of 2025, there is already another plan for a further increase in October of this year.
There aren't any adjustments scheduled for 2026 yet, but it seems likely that there will be at least one adjustment needed for minimum wage to keep up with inflation.
Is it expensive to live in Nova Scotia?
The cost of living in Nova Scotia is fairly high compared to some other Canadian provinces. The cost of living is based on prices for:
- Rent
- Utilities
- Food
- Transportation
- Other basic living expenses
While the specific number depends on which part of Nova Scotia a person lives in, in order to afford these basic living expenses, a 2023 report on the living wage in Halifax determined that a person needs to earn between $22.85 and $26.50 per hour – far below the current and future Nova Scotia minimum wage, and prices have only risen since then.
Federal minimum wage increase
On April 1, 2025, the federal minimum wage was increased to $17.75. The federal minimum wage is studied annually and adjusted as needed, based on CPI.
This change will increase the minimum wage for workers in federally regulated private sectors, some of which are:
- Banks
- Postal services
- Air and road transportation
- Telecommunications (telephone, internet, etc.)
- Radio and TV broadcasting
Employees of these sectors will earn either the federal minimum wage or their province/territory’s minimum wage, whichever rate is higher.
FAQ
What is minimum wage in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia minimum wage is $15.70 per hour. This rate was at $15.20 per hour until April 1, 2025, when it was raised to adjust for changes to inflation and the national Consumer Price Index.
Is minimum wage going up in Nova Scotia?
There's another increase planned for October 2025, in addition to the increase that recently happened on April 1st. No increases are currently planned for 2026, though it’s very likely that there will be at least one.
How does Nova Scotia minimum wage compare with other maritime provinces?
Nova Scotia has the second-lowest minimum wage rate of all the maritime provinces. Newfoundland and Labrador is tied with Prince Edward Island for the highest minimum wage in the Maritimes, currently sitting at $16.00.
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