Nova Scotia Minimum Wage: $15.00/Hour (2024)
CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE RATES (2024):
• General Minimum Wage: $15.00/hour
• Effective Date: October 1, 2023
• Previous Rate: $14.50/hour (2022-2023)
• Next Review: Annual adjustment process
• Coverage: Most employees in Nova Scotia
Different Minimum Wage Categories
SPECIAL MINIMUM WAGE RATES:
• Inexperienced Employees: $13.60/hour (first 3 months)
• Applies to: Workers with no previous work experience
• Training Period: Maximum 3 months
• After 3 Months: Must receive full minimum wage
• Age Requirement: Under 21 with no experience
Overtime and Hours
OVERTIME REGULATIONS:
• Standard Work Week: 48 hours
• Overtime Rate: 1.5x regular hourly rate
• Overtime Trigger: After 48 hours per week
• Daily Overtime: No daily overtime in Nova Scotia
• Statutory Holiday Pay: Regular day's pay
OVERTIME CALCULATION EXAMPLE:
• Regular Hours (48): $15.00/hour = $720
• Overtime Hours (5): $22.50/hour = $112.50
• Total Weekly Pay (53 hours): $832.50
• Overtime starts after 48 hours worked
Provincial Comparison
MINIMUM WAGE BY PROVINCE (2024):
• British Columbia: $16.75/hour
• Alberta: $15.00/hour
• Ontario: $16.55/hour
• Quebec: $15.25/hour
• Nova Scotia: $15.00/hour
• New Brunswick: $14.75/hour
• PEI: $15.40/hour
• Newfoundland: $15.60/hour
Annual Income Calculations
FULL-TIME ANNUAL INCOME:
• 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = 2,080 hours
• Gross Annual Income: $31,200
• Monthly Gross Income: $2,600
• Bi-weekly Gross Income: $1,200
• Before deductions (taxes, CPP, EI)
Wage Increase History
RECENT WAGE INCREASES:
• October 2023: $15.00 (+$0.50)
• April 2022: $14.50 (+$1.35)
• October 2021: $13.35 (+$0.60)
• April 2021: $12.95 (+$0.20)
• October 2020: $12.75 (+$0.20)
Employment Standards
WORKER PROTECTIONS:
• Payment Frequency: At least every 2 weeks
• Vacation Pay: 4% of gross wages (minimum)
• Public Holidays: 6 statutory holidays
• Notice of Termination: Based on length of service
• Breaks: 30-minute unpaid break after 5 hours
Exemptions and Exceptions
WORKERS NOT COVERED:
• Farm workers (separate rates may apply)
• Commissioned salespeople (specific conditions)
• Certain professional occupations
• Students in work-study programs
• Some seasonal/casual workers
Tips and Gratuities
TIP REGULATIONS:
• Minimum Wage: Must be paid regardless of tips
• Tip Ownership: Tips belong to the employee
• Tip Pooling: Voluntary among eligible staff
• Deductions: Employer cannot deduct for tips
• Tax Implications: Tips are taxable income
Living Wage Comparison
LIVING WAGE ESTIMATES (2024):
• Halifax Living Wage: $23.50/hour
• Cape Breton Living Wage: $20.85/hour
• Rural Nova Scotia: $19.75/hour
• Gap: $4.50-8.50 below living wage
• Covers: Basic needs, modest lifestyle
Impact on Tourism Industry
TOURISM SECTOR WAGES:
• Entry-level positions: Often start at minimum wage
• Seasonal work: Many tourism jobs are seasonal
• Tips supplement: Hospitality workers rely on tips
• Competition: Higher wages to attract workers
• Labour shortage: Industry faces staffing challenges
Student Employment
STUDENT WORKERS:
• Same minimum wage applies to students
• Summer jobs: Peak employment May-August
• Work permits: International students limited hours
• Co-op programs: May have different arrangements
• Youth employment programs: Government initiatives
Enforcement and Complaints
WAGE PROTECTION:
• Labour Standards Division: Enforcement agency
• Complaint Process: Free investigation service
• Back Pay Recovery: Can recover unpaid wages
• Penalties: Fines for non-compliant employers
• Protection: Illegal to retaliate against complainants
Future Wage Adjustments
ADJUSTMENT PROCESS:
• Annual Review: Government reviews rates yearly
• Economic Factors: Inflation, cost of living considered
• Consultation: Stakeholder input process
• Notice Period: Changes announced in advance
• Target: Moving toward $15+ wages
Resources and Contact
GET HELP:
• Labour Standards Division: 1-888-315-0110
• Email: labourstandards@novascotia.ca
• Website: novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights
• Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
• Languages: Services available in multiple languages