Last Updated On 10 November 2023, 10:35 AM EST (Toronto Time)
A list of new Ontario living wage rates has been released for 2023 for all 10 major geographical regions across the province by the Ontario Living Wage Network.
Residents of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area need to earn at least $25.05 per hour to make ends meet in their household.
This is 51% higher than the provincial minimum wage of $16.55, which was increased this year on October 1st.
Jump To
In 2022, the living wage in the Toronto area was $23.15 per hour.
Ottawa saw the biggest increase in the living wage, rising from $19.60 to $21.95, a 12% increase over the previous year.
Full List of Ontario Living Wage Rates
| Region | 2023 living wage |
| Greater Toronto Area | $25.05 |
| Grey Bruce Perth Huron Simcoe | $22.75 |
| Dufferin Waterloo Guelph-Wellington | $20.90 |
| Brant Niagara Haldimand Norfolk | $20.35 |
| North | $19.80 |
| Ottawa | $21.95 |
| East | $20.60 |
| Hamilton | $20.80 |
| Southwest | $18.65 |
| London Elgin Oxford | $18.85 |
How much is the Ontario minimum wage?
The minimum wage in Ontario is $16.55 per hour, which recently increased on October 1, 2023, from $15.55 per hour.
| Minimum Wage Type | Minimum wage effective October 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| General minimum wage | $16.55 per hour |
| Student minimum wage (under the age of 18) | $15.60 per hour |
| Liquor servers minimum wage | Same as general minimum wage |
| Hunting, fishing and wilderness guides minimum wage | $82.85 Rate for working less than five consecutive hours in a day $165.75 Rate for working five or more hours in a day whether or not the hours are consecutive |
| Homeworkers wage (work from home workers) | $18.20 per hour |
What is the living wage?
The living wage is the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs, such as food, housing, and healthcare, without relying on government assistance or other forms of financial support.
How is the living wage calculated?
The living wage is calculated based on the cost of living in a specific geographic area and takes into account factors such as housing costs, transportation expenses, and the number of dependents in a household.
The goal of the living wage is to give workers a decent standard of living, and it is frequently higher than the government-set minimum wage.
When will the Ontario minimum wage increase?
Every year, the minimum wage rates are adjusted in accordance with the rate of inflation.
If that rate changes, the new minimum wage will come into effect on October 1st of that particular year.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
You may also like: New Service Canada Benefit Payment Dates 2026-2027
New CPP Payments To Be Sent Canada-Wide On July 29
New OAS Payments Coming On July 29 With An Increase
10 New Ontario Laws and Rules Coming In August 2026
ontario cost of living,