Since May 1, 2026, Quebec's general minimum wage has been $16.60 an hour. That's the legal floor below which an employer cannot pay you for most jobs in the province.
A different rate for tipped employees. If you work as a server, or in a role where you regularly receive tips, the minimum rate is lower, at $13.30 an hour. The idea is that tips top up the wage — but your employer must still respect that floor.
Who sets the rate? The amount is set by the Quebec government and generally reviewed once a year, on May 1. The CNESST (Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail) enforces it. If you're paid less than the minimum, you can file a complaint with them.
What it looks like on a paycheque. At $16.60 an hour and 35 hours a week, that's roughly $581 gross per week, before deductions (income tax, QPP, QPIP, employment insurance). The net amount that lands in your account is lower — you can estimate it with our net salary calculator.
Good to know for newcomers. The minimum wage applies regardless of your immigration status, as long as you have the right to work. Your rights (overtime, statutory holidays, vacation) are the same as everyone else's. A first job at minimum wage is common when you arrive: it doesn't lock you in — it gets you into the local job market.
