The Nunavut minimum wage is $19.00 per hour. This rate was set on January 1, 2024, when the previous $16 per hour rate was raised by $3.
While no plans for another increase have been announced, the territory's Department of Justice says it's considering a new method for setting the minimum wage that would allow for annual increases. This would be a welcome change as Nunavut has some of the highest costs of living in the country.
Here, you'll find information on the current minimum wage in Nunavut and some discussion of further increases.
Key Takeaways
- Nunavut's minimum wage is set at $19.00 per hour.
- It was increased to this rate on January 1, 2024 and there are currently no set plans to raise it again in 2025.
- The federal minimum wage was increased to $17.75 per hour on April 1, 2025.
- Nunavut has the highest minimum wage rate in all of Canada, in large part due to the high cost of living in this area.
Nunavut minimum wage 2024
The minimum wage in Nunavut is $19.00 per hour, as set on January 1, 2024.
In 1999, when the boundaries of Canada’s northern territories were redrawn and Nunavut was established, Nunavut's minimum wage was $6.50 – $7.00 per hour, depending on location. The higher wage was assigned to the more remote areas, far from the territory’s highway system.
This territory's minimum wage rate has increased several times since 1999:
- $10.00 per hour in 2008
- $11.00 per hour in 2011
- $13.00 per hour in 2016
- $16.00 per hour in 2020
- $19.00 per hour in 2024
When is the next Nunavut minimum wage increase?
According to the territory’s Labour Standards Act, the Nunavut government is required to review minimum wage rates annually. The Department of Justice has also said that it's considering a new method of calculating this wage and it would result in an annual increase.
Still, there are no set plans for an increase to the Nunavut minimum wage in 2025.
How does Nunavut minimum wage compare with other provinces and territories?
At $19.00 per hour, Nunavut's minimum wage is the highest in Canada.
Considering the increased cost of living faced by those living in Canada’s northern territories, the minimum wage in these areas is consistently higher than wages in the more densely populated provinces.
As of 2024, minimum wage in the Northwest Territories is $16.70 and minimum wage in Yukon is $17.94.
For comparative purposes, the minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $15.00 per hour, which is the lowest in the country.
What is the cost of living in Nunavut?
Nunavut is a remote area, making it difficult and costly to transport supplies to residents. The cost of fuel, food, and other items is rising across the country, but those living in Nunavut face the additional cost of importing those goods from other places.
This makes it more expensive to live in Nunavut than in other areas of Canada.
In 2019, the living wage was estimated to be around $26 per hour for Nunavut residents. As inflation and CPI have both increased significantly since then, and the living wage rate has likely gone up as well, but either way, $26 per hour is significantly higher than the current rate for minimum wage.
Federal minimum wage increase
On April 1, 2025, the federal minimum wage was increased to $17.75 per hour. This was a 2.4% increase over the previous rate of $17.30 per hour.
The federal minimum wage rate is based on the CPI and adjusted annually, rounded up to the nearest $0.05.
This rate only applies to federally regulated private sectors. Here are a few examples of these industries/employers:
- Banks
- Postal and courier services
- Radio and television broadcasting
- Telecommunications
- Interprovincial and international railways
Since the minimum wage in Nunavut is higher than this federal minimum, employees that live in the territory will earn the higher rate of $19.00 per hour.
FAQ
What is Nunavut minimum wage?
The Nunavut minimum wage has the highest rate in Canada at $19.00 per hour. The previous rate was $16 per hour, but this was increased by 18.75% when the new rate was set on January 1, 2024.
When did Nunavut minimum wage increase last?
The most recent minimum wage increase in Nunavut was on January 1, 2024, when it was raised from $16.00 to $19.00 per hour. A new plan is being reviewed to hopefully result in an annual minimum wage increase.
Does Nunavut have the highest minimum wage in Canada?
Yes, the minimum wage in Nunavut is the highest of all provinces or territories in Canada. The next highest minimum wage is in the Yukon at $17.94 per hour and then BC at $17.40 per hour.
What is the federal minimum wage in 2025?
On April 1, 2025, the federal minimum wage was raised to $17.75. This rate changes annually and only applies to federally regulated private sectors, such as banks, postal services, telecommunications, and a few other industries.
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