How does the 28-hour student rule work?

When school is in session, students under 18 can be paid $13.00/hour for the first 28 hours in a week, and must be paid $15.00/hour for hours over 28.

Who is exempt from Alberta minimum wage?

Exempt occupations include real estate brokers, securities and insurance commission salespersons, students in approved work experience programs, film extras, non-profit camp counsellors, municipal police, and post-secondary academic staff.

🇨🇦 Alberta Minimum Wage Calculator 2025

Calculate your minimum wage entitlement under the Alberta Employment Standards Code.

Alberta ESC $15.00/hour $13 Student $598/week

Key Rates: General minimum $15.00/hour · Students under 18 $13.00/hour · Salespersons/professionals $598/week · Domestic live-in $2,848/month.

💡 Quick Examples — From the Alberta ESC Guide▶

General Employee:
40 hours worked × $15.00/hour = $600.00

Student Under 18 (in school):
30 hours worked: 28 × $13.00 + 2 × $15.00 = $364 + $30 = $394.00

Student Under 18 (school not in session):
40 hours × $13.00 = $520.00

Salesperson / Professional:
Weekly minimum = $598.00/week regardless of hours worked

Domestic Employee (live-in):
Monthly minimum = $2,848.00/month

👤 What type of employee are you?

General Employee (18+)$15.00/hour Student Under 18$13.00/hour (with restrictions) Salesperson / Professional$598.00/week Domestic — Live-in$2,848.00/month Domestic — Live-out$15.00/hour

💼 Employment Details

Hours Worked This Week

Actual Hourly Wage Paid ($)

🍽️ Allowable Deductions (Optional)

Employers can deduct for provided meals and lodging (with your written authorization). Maximum: $3.35 per meal consumed, $4.41 per day's lodging.

Number of Meals Consumed

Number of Nights Lodging Provided

🚫 Exempt Occupation Check

I am in an exempt occupation (real estate broker, securities/insurance commission salesperson, film extra, etc.)

⚠️ Exempt Occupation: Your occupation is exempt from Alberta minimum wage standards. Exempt occupations include real estate brokers, securities salespersons, insurance salespersons paid entirely by commission, students in approved work experience programs, film extras, non-profit camp counsellors, municipal police service members, and post-secondary academic staff. Contact Alberta Employment Standards for details.

MINIMUM WAGE CALCULATED

$0.00

net minimum wage owed

$15.00 per hour (or applicable rate)

Employee Type General Employee

Applicable Rate $15.00/hour

Hours Worked 0 hours

Minimum Wage Owed (before deductions) $0.00

Meal Deductions (0 × $3.35) −$0.00

Lodging Deductions (0 × $4.41) −$0.00

      Net Minimum Wage Owed
      $0.00
    

Actual Pay $0.00

⚠️ Shortfall Detected: Your actual pay is below the Alberta minimum wage. You are entitled to the difference. Contact Alberta Employment Standards to file a complaint — you can complain while employed or within 6 months after your last day.

✓ Compliant: Your actual pay meets or exceeds the Alberta minimum wage. Your employer is complying with minimum wage standards.

⚠️ Exempt Occupation: Your occupation is exempt from Alberta minimum wage standards. Contact Alberta Employment Standards for details.

📋 Student Under 18: You are entitled to $13.00/hour for the first 28 hours per week when school is in session, and $15.00/hour for hours over 28. When school is not in session, $13.00/hour applies to all hours.

📋 Weekly Minimum: As a salesperson or professional, you are entitled to the weekly minimum wage of $598.00/week, regardless of the number of hours worked.

📋 Domestic Employee: You are entitled to minimum wage plus general holidays, rest periods, days of rest, vacations, termination notice, and job-protected leaves. You are NOT entitled to overtime or maximum hour restrictions.

ℹ️ Important Notes:

Tips and expense money are NOT part of wages
Meal deductions only apply to meals actually consumed
Lodging deductions only apply to live-in domestic employees
Deductions require your written authorization

📋 Your Rights:

Employers must pay at least minimum wage
You can complain while employed or within 6 months after last day
Contact Alberta Employment Standards for free assistance
Minimum standards cannot be waived by agreement

🧮 Calculation Walkthrough — See your numbers plugged in▶

Step 1 — Determine Rate:

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Step 2 — Minimum Wage Owed:

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Step 3 — Apply Deductions:

—

Step 4 — Compare with Actual Pay:

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📊 Alberta Minimum Wage Rates 2025

Employee Type	Rate	Notes
General minimum wage	$15.00/hour	Most employees 18+
Student under 18	$13.00/hour	First 28 hours/week in school; $15 after; $13 all hours when school not in session
Salespersons & professionals	$598.00/week	Fixed weekly minimum regardless of hours
Domestic employee (live-in)	$2,848.00/month	Full monthly rate; pro-rating for partial month
Domestic employee (live-out)	$15.00/hour	Same as general minimum

🍽️ Allowable Deductions for Meals and Lodging▶

Employers can reduce an employee's wages below minimum wage by making deductions for provided meals and lodging, but only with the employee's written authorization.

Maximum deductions:

$3.35 per meal consumed
$4.41 per day's lodging (live-in only)

Rules:

Deductions can only be made for meals actually consumed — no deduction for meals not eaten
Lodging deductions only apply to domestic employees who live in the employer's home
Deductions require written authorization from the employee
Deductions can reduce the effective wage below minimum wage, up to the caps

Example:

Employee works 40 hours at $15/hour = $600.00
Employer provides 20 meals × $3.35 = −$67.00
Employer provides 0 nights lodging = −$0.00
Net pay after deductions = $533.00

🚫 Exempt Occupations — Who's Not Covered▶

The following employees are exempt from Alberta minimum wage standards:

Real estate brokers
Securities salespersons
Insurance salespersons paid entirely by commission
Students in a work experience program approved by the Alberta government
Students in an off-campus education program under the Education Act
Extras in a film or video production
Counsellors or instructors at a non-profit educational or recreational camp for children, handicapped individuals, or religious groups
Municipal police service members
Post-secondary academic staff

If you're in one of these occupations, contact Alberta Employment Standards for details on your entitlements.

🏠 Domestic Employee Rights and Entitlements▶

Domestic employees work in the employer's residence for the care, comfort, and convenience of the residents. Casual babysitting is NOT considered domestic employment.

All domestic employees are entitled to:

Minimum wage
General (statutory) holidays with pay
A statement of earnings and deductions for each pay period
A rest period of at least 30 minutes for each consecutive 5 hours of work
At least 1 day of rest in each work week
Vacations and vacation pay
Notice of termination of employment
Job-protected leaves

Domestic employees are NOT entitled to:

Overtime compensation
Restrictions on maximum hours of work

Live-in specific rules:

Employer must pay full monthly minimum wage ($2,848) regardless of hours worked
Pro-rating permitted for partial-month agreements
Maximum deductions: $4.41/night lodging + $3.35/meal
Cannot deduct for meals not consumed

⚠️ Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes only. Actual entitlements are governed by the Alberta Employment Standards Code and the Employment Standards Regulation. In the event of a discrepancy, the legislation is considered correct. For disputes, contact Alberta Employment Standards.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage in Alberta?

The general minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most employees. Students under 18 may be paid a job creation student wage of $13.00 per hour with restrictions.

What is the job creation student wage?

The job creation student wage is $13.00 per hour for students under 18 who attend school up to grade 12, post-secondary, or vocational school. It applies when school is in session (first 28 hours per week) and when school is not in session (all hours).

How does the 28-hour rule work for students?

When school is in session: $13.00/hour for the first 28 hours in a week, and $15.00/hour for any hours over 28. When school is not in session (summer, spring/Christmas break): $13.00/hour applies to all hours. Overtime rules still apply.

What is the weekly minimum wage?

Certain salespersons and professionals are entitled to the weekly minimum wage of $598.00/week. This is a fixed weekly minimum regardless of hours worked. It applies to salespersons of autos, trucks, farm machinery, real estate, and professionals like accountants, engineers, lawyers, and dentists.

What is the domestic employee wage?

Domestic employees who live in the employer's home are entitled to $2,848.00/month. Domestic employees who don't live in the employer's home are entitled to the general minimum wage of $15.00/hour.

Can my employer deduct for meals and lodging?

Yes, with your written authorization. Maximum deductions are $3.35 per meal consumed and $4.41 per day's lodging (live-in only). Employers cannot deduct for meals not consumed.

Are tips part of minimum wage?

No. Tips and expense money are NOT part of wages and don't count toward minimum wage. Your employer must still pay at least minimum wage on top of any tips you receive.

Who is exempt from minimum wage?

Exempt occupations include real estate brokers, securities salespersons, insurance salespersons paid entirely by commission, students in approved work experience programs, film extras, non-profit camp counsellors, municipal police service members, and post-secondary academic staff.

Can I complain if I'm underpaid?

Yes. You can file a complaint with Alberta Employment Standards while you're still employed or within 6 months after your last day of employment. There is no cost to file a complaint.

What are the maximum allowable deductions?

Maximum deductions from minimum wage: $3.35 per meal consumed and $4.41 per day's lodging (live-in only). Deductions require written authorization and can only be applied to consumed meals and provided lodging.

Official Alberta resources: Alberta Minimum Wage · Contact Employment Standards

⚠️This tool is for information purpose only. We do not guarantee any claim.
It is made based on data publicaly available on official website of concerned department.

Last Updated: March 2026 | Official Determination Required

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