What is Minimum Wage in Newfoundland? 2023

As of October 1, 2022, the minimum wage in Newfoundland is $13.70.

Minimum Wage History in Newfoundland

For years, the minimum wage in Newfoundland has been steadily increasing.

The following table shows the 10 most recent minimum wage changes in Newfoundland:

Date Hourly Minimum Wage
October 1, 2022 $13.70
April 1, 2022 $13.20
October 1, 2021 $12.75
April 1, 2021 $12.50
October 1, 2020 $12.15
April 1, 2020 $11.65
April 1, 2019 $11.40
April 1, 2018 $11.15
October 2, 2017 $11.00
April 1, 2017 $10.75
October 1, 2015 $10.50
October 1, 2014 $10.25

Newfoundland Minimum Wage Incremental Increase

In February 2020, the government announced an incremental minimum wage increase that would come into effect in 4 parts over a two-year period.

The increase would happen every 6 months, beginning in April 2020, and be relative to the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus an additional $0.25 each time.

The final special increase was made on October 1, 2021.

Now that the final special increase has passed, the government has announced further increases to the minimum wage to bring it closer to the federal rate.

On April 1, 2023, the minimum wage will increase to $14.50 per hour.

On October 1, 2023, the minimum wage will grow to $15 per hour.

After that, it’s expected that Newfoundland will go back to having one annual minimum wage change on April 1st of every year, which will be based on changes in the CPI.

Did You Know?

Newfoundland’s minimum wage will increase to $15 by October 2023.

Exemptions to the Minimum Wage in NL

According to the Labour Standards Regulations, the minimum wage requirements apply to the following:

  • Hourly-rate or fixed-wage employees that are paid weekly, monthly, or in a period of less than a month.
  • Employees that are paid on a commission-basis, either partly or in full.

There are, however, exemptions to the minimum wage rules in Newfoundland.

These exemptions are:

  • Farm employees who plant, cultivate, and/or harvest farm produce, or are involved with raising livestock (you can find their wages here.)
  • Live-in babysitters and housekeepers with a pre-existing agreement to get paid time off for any hours worked over 40 hours a week.
Lighthouse in Newfoundland

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is the minimum wage in Newfoundland going up in 2023?
  • Why did the minimum wage increase in Newfoundland?
  • What is the cost of living in Newfoundland?
Tara Al-Khudairi

Tara Al-Khudairi is a freelance personal finance writer who has worked in the financial services industry since 2017. She graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Finance and is pursuing her CFA.

She has worked at a major Canadian financial institution in various client-facing advisory roles, starting as a bank teller and working up to a Client Services Associate within the Asset Management division. She specializes in simplifying concepts of personal finance for people of various financial backgrounds.

When she’s not examining the markets looking for the next SHOP.TO, she’s either practicing yoga, planning her next vacation, or has her nose buried deep in a book.