🇨🇦 Nova Scotia Vacation Pay Calculator 2026

Vacation pay is 4% of gross wages for employees with 8 years or less of continuous service, and 6% for employees with more than 8 years (arriving in the 9th year).

Nova Scotia uses the phrase "more than eight years" in the statute. This means the 6% rate and 3 weeks vacation arrive in the 9th year (after completing 8 years). Note that the government's guidance page says "after completing 7 years" — but the statute (s. 32(1)(c)) is what governs. This calculator follows the statute.

Regular wages, overtime pay, statutory holiday pay, commissions, and non-discretionary bonuses are all included in NS gross wages. Tips and gratuities are excluded.

Vacation pay must be paid at least 1 day before vacation begins. Employers may also pay it with each cheque (with clear identification) or include it in the hourly rate (must be at least minimum wage + 4%/6%).

All accumulated vacation pay must be paid within 10 days after employment ends.

Yes, if you worked less than 90% of regular working hours during a 12-month period. The waiver must be in writing. Your employer must still pay the vacation pay within one month of the 12-month earning period ending. Full-time employees must take vacation time.

Real estate and car salespeople, commissioned salespeople working outside the employer's place of business (but not route salespeople), mobile home salespeople, fishing boat workers, athletes, and certain domestic workers.

Yes — the NS government guidance says 6% arrives "after completing 7 years" but the statute (s. 32(1)(c)) says "more than eight years." This calculator follows the statute, which is the legal standard.

NS gives employees the strongest statutory protection for accruing vacation pay in the country: vacation pay is held in trust, is a charge on the employer's assets with priority, and the employee holds a mortgage on those assets (s. 36).