Nova Scotia’s minimum wage to see largest increase to date this year

Nova Scotia’s minimum wage will see the largest increase in the province’s history this year.

The first rate increase is scheduled for April 1, when minimum wage will go up by 50 cents to $15.70. A second rate increase scheduled for Oct. 1 will see minimum wage go up by 80 cents, bringing the new amount to $16.50.

Minimum wage is updated every year on April 1 based on the consumer price index for the previous year, plus an extra one per cent. The second increase on Oct. 1 is in response to the rising cost of living, according to a provincial news release.

“Inflation continues to put pressure on families across the province. We need to do what we can to help,” said Nolan Young, minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration.

“This year we will see the biggest increase in minimum wage ever made in our province. We’re supporting hard-working Nova Scotians while addressing the rising cost of living.”

The province says workers earning the general minimum wage and working 37.5 hours per week will see an annual pay raise of up to $2,535.

On average, 7.3 per cent of workers – or 33,700 Nova Scotians – earned the minimum wage between April 2024 and October 2024.

The current minimum wage in Nova Scotia is $15.20 per hour, which took effect last April.