This release was issued under a previous government.

Alberta’s minimum wage increases to $10.20 September 1

Alberta’s general minimum wage will increase from $9.95 to $10.20 per hour. The liquor server minimum wage will rise from $9.05 to $9.20 per hour.

A $1 per hour differential between the two wages will now be maintained to recognize that liquor servers typically earn tips.

The increases are based on a formula introduced in 2011 that links changes to the general minimum wage to increases in Average Weekly Earnings and the Consumer Price Index in Alberta.

On average, the two indexes experienced an increase of 2.3% in the past year. With rounding, the general minimum wage will increase by 25 cents per hour.

Minimum wage facts

  • Approximately 25,700 individuals, or 1.5 per cent of employees in Alberta, earn minimum wage, compared to 6.8 per cent nationally and 9.1 per cent in Ontario.
  • When Alberta’s high personal exemption and low tax rates are factored in, the new general minimum wage ranks second highest in Canada, after Ontario.

Employers and employees with questions about minimum wages can contact the Employment Standards Contact Centre at 780-427-3731, or toll-free at 1-877-427-3731 or visit work.alberta.ca/es