Alberta

Minimum Wage

What is 'minimum wage'?

What is Alberta's minimum wage?

Will the minimum wage be different for students and youth?

Am I covered by the minimum wage law in Alberta?

The Alberta minimum wage laws cover all employees.  Exemptions from the minimum wage include the following employees:

• real estate brokers
• securities sales persons
• insurance sales persons paid entirely by commission
• students engaged in a work experience program approved by the Minister of Learning or Minister of Human Resources and Employment
• students engaged in an off-campus education program provided under the School Act
• extras in a film or video production
• counsellors or instructors at an educational or recreational camp operated on a non-profit basis for children or handicapped individuals or for religious purposes and
• farm employees
  

What is the minimum wage for Domestic Employees?

A domestic employee is an employee who is employed to do domestic work and lives or lives primarily in the employer's home. A casual babysitter is not considered a domestic employee.

• An employee living in their employer's home is entitled to wages of at least $1,677 per month. An employer may deduct from the minimum wage $2.89 per meal the employee consumes and $3.82 for each day that the employer provides the employee with a place to stay. These charges can be adjusted for meals not consumed or for days where lodging is not provided.
  
• An employee not living in their employer's home is entitled to minimum wage of $8.80 per hour for all hours worked.  An employer may make meal deductions not exceeding $2.89 per meal.

What is the minimum wage for some Sales Persons and Professional Employees?

A variety of salespersons and professional employees are currently entitled to at least the weekly minimum wage of $352.00 as of April 1, 2009.

Which legislation determines the minimum wage?

The Alberta Employment Standards and Employment Standards Regulation.