Saskatchewan Minimum Wage 2024

A minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate that an employer can legally pay an employee. It protects employees by offering a minimum standard of living. Minimum wages differ in each province as they are decided by individual provincial and territorial governments. 

How Are Minimum Wages Calculated?

There is no federal minimum wage in Canada because provincial and territorial governments dictate the minimum wage in their jurisdictions. These governments set and adjust minimum wages in different ways, and they can change based on the government of the day. For example, in Saskatchewan, minimum wage increases are calculated based on the average hourly wage and changes to the Consumer Price Index.

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What’s The Minimum Wage In Saskatchewan?

Effective October 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $15.00 per hour. Up $1 since October 2023 from $14.00 per hour.

Most employees must be paid at least the minimum wage for each hour they work or each house they are at their employer’s disposal, although there are some exceptions.

When the minimum wage is increased, it is calculated based on a formula that weighs both the changes in the Consumer Price Index and the average hourly wage in Saskatchewan equally. Increases, which take place annually, are announced on or before June 30th and take effect on October 1st.

Minimum Wage Exceptions In Saskatchewan

Some employees in Saskatchewan do not have to earn the minimum wage. These employees include agricultural labourers, care providers working in private homes, babysitters, athletes, non-profit organization volunteers, and those with mental or physical disabilities who work in an educational, therapeutic, or rehabilitative program.

Those who are exempted from the minimum wage can find out more information by contacting the Employment Standards Division.

Federal Workers

In Saskatchewan, federal workers are entitled to $17.30 per hour starting April 1, 2024. The federal minimum wage applies to workers who are federally regulated by the government, such as postal workers, banks, and federal Crown corporations.

What Can Be Deducted From A Minimum Wage Worker’s Salary in Saskatchewan?

An employer is entitled to deduct several expenses from an employee’s wages. These deductions include legally required deductions, which are income tax, Canada Pension Plan, and Employment Insurance.

Employers are also allowed to deduct employee contributions to pension plans, RRSPs, and other benefit plans. Voluntary contributions, donations, purchases, union fees and dues, and court-ordered maintenance payments can also be deducted.

What Cannot Be Deducted?

Although employers are entitled to deduct certain expenses from an employee’s wages, there are some things for which they cannot deduct. Employers cannot deduct the costs of theft, damage, breakage, poor quality work, or failure to collect payment from a customer from an employee’s wages. Employers also cannot deduct the cost of a uniform or special clothing that identifies the employer’s business from an employee’s wages if the employee is required to wear it.

The Effect Of Overtime And Holidays On Minimum Wage 

Employees earn overtime at the rate of at least 1.5 times their regular rate of pay. In the case of employees earning the minimum wage in Saskatchewan, they would earn $22.5 per hour ($15.00 per hour x 1.5).

Those who earn overtime can do so by the day or by the week, and they receive whichever is greater. If they are scheduled for eight hours per day, they earn overtime by working more than eight hours a day. If they are scheduled for ten hours per day, they earn overtime by working more than ten hours a day. In a workweek, employees earn overtime after working more than 40 hours a week. These hours can be scheduled as four ten-hour days or five eight-hour days. If it’s a week with a public holiday, employees working more than 32 hours earn overtime.

Find out the difference between an employee and a contract worker.

Anyone who works on a public holiday, including managers, professional employees, and operators of group homes, gets 1.5 times their regular hourly rate of pay for every hour they work. These public holidays are: 

• New Year’s Day (January 1st)
• Family Day (third Monday of February)
• Good Friday (the Friday before the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21st)
•  Victoria Day (second last Monday of May)
• Canada Day (July 1st)
• Saskatchewan Day (first Monday of August)
• Labour Day (first Monday in September)
• Thanksgiving Day (second Monday in October)
• Remembrance Day (November 11th)
• Christmas Day (December 25th). 

Additionally, most employees get five percent of their wages as holiday pay in the four weeks before a public holiday, no matter when they work.

Minimum Work Hours In Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, there is a minimum payment, known as reporting for duty pay, that most employees must receive every time they report for work, other than for overtime. Even if there is no work to do or if the work takes less than three hours, employees must receive three hours of pay at their regular hourly rate.

Find out what tax bracket you fall under.

Working In Saskatchewan As A Youth

Generally, the minimum age of employment in Saskatchewan is age 16. Fourteen and 15-year-olds, however, can work in Saskatchewan provided they complete the Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course and receive a Certificate of Completion. This certificate must be signed by one of the young worker’s parents or guardians.

If it’s a school break or vacation, there are no restrictions on the amount of time that 14-year-olds and 15-year-olds can work. Otherwise, if school is in session, they cannot work before the school day starts or after 10 p.m. on a day before a school day. They also cannot work more than 16 hours a week if school is in session.

Employees under 16 cannot work in certain industries, like on a construction site or in power line maintenance. Employees under 18 also cannot work in certain industries, like in underground mining or as radiation workers.

Additional Reading

Best Student Bank Accounts In Canada 2024

How To Get Out Of Debt On A Low Income

Average House Price In Saskatchewan 2024

Bottom Line

The minimum wage, which is $15.00 per hour in Saskatchewan, is the lowest hourly wage that an employer can legally pay most employees. There are some exceptions to who must earn the minimum wage, and employers are allowed to make certain deductions from an employee’s wages.  In Saskatchewan, it is calculated based on the provincial average hourly wage and the Consumer Price Index. It is increased annually on October 1st. While there are annual increases, it remains the lowest minimum wage in Canada.

Minimum Wage FAQs

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