Minimum Wage in Nova Scotia (2026)
The general minimum wage in Nova Scotia is $17.00 an hour, in effect since October 1, 2026.
General rate
$17.00/hr
since October 1, 2026
Full-time, before tax
$35,360
40 h × 52 weeks
After 2026 tax (est.)
$28,689
$2,391 a month
Nova Scotia minimum wage details
- General minimum wage: $17.00 an hour (effective October 1, 2026).
- Next scheduled change: Raised on Apr 1 and Oct 1 in 2026; check the province for the next change.
- Versus the federal minimum ($18.15, for federally regulated jobs such as banks, airlines and telecoms): $1.15 lower.
What minimum wage pays after tax in Nova Scotia
Working full time at $17.00 an hour earns $35,360 a year. After 2026 federal and Nova Scotia income tax ($4,199) and CPP and EI ($2,472), that leaves about $28,689 — $1,103 every two weeks, or $13.79 an hour. See the full Nova Scotia salary after tax calculator or the $35,000 after tax breakdown.
How Nova Scotia compares
Nova Scotia has the 7th-highest general minimum wage of Canada's 13 provinces and territories.
| Province / territory | General rate | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Nunavut | $20.17 | September 1, 2026 |
| Yukon | $18.51 | April 1, 2026 |
| British Columbia | $18.25 | June 1, 2026 |
| Ontario | $17.95 | October 1, 2026 |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.30 | October 1, 2026 |
| Northwest Territories | $17.20 | September 1, 2026 |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00 | October 1, 2026 |
| Quebec | $16.60 | May 1, 2026 |
| Manitoba | $16.40 | October 1, 2026 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35 | April 1, 2026 |
| New Brunswick | $15.90 | April 1, 2026 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.70 | October 1, 2026 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | October 1, 2018 |
Sources: provincial employment-standards legislation and the federal Labour Program, as compiled in the minimum wage in Canada table. Rates last verified October 9, 2026; a scheduled increase after that date may not be shown yet — confirm with the Nova Scotia government before using a rate in a contract. After-tax figures are estimates for the 2026 tax year (basic personal amounts only).