Saskatchewan minimum wage to rise to $15.70 in October

HR professionals across Saskatchewan will need to recalculate payroll budgets and review compensation structures after the provincial government confirmed that minimum wage will rise to $15.70 per hour on Oct. 1, 2026.

That is up from the current $15.35 per hour rate.

The increase was announced by the provincial government as part of a broader update on affordability measures. Saskatchewan does not set its minimum wage through annual political negotiation; instead, the province uses an indexation formula that gives equal weight to changes in the Consumer Price Index and changes in the Average Hourly Wage for Saskatchewan.

Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said the formula is designed to balance worker income against business sustainability. "To keep Saskatchewan's economy strong, we have tried to balance the need for an increase to the minimum wage with ensuring employers are able to continue to build strong businesses and opportunity for growth," he said, according to the Government of Saskatchewan.

Cheveldayoff also pointed to the province's broader tax environment as a factor in worker retention. "Our low personal tax rates also continue to make our province a great place to live, work and raise a family," he said.

Affordability measures accompany wage change

The wage adjustment was announced alongside a package of affordability measures tied to the province's 2026-27 Budget. According to the Government of Saskatchewan, the 2026-27 Budget delivered $200 million in tax savings this year through enhancements and indexation under The Saskatchewan Affordability Act.

The province also said a four-year income tax reduction plan, once fully implemented, will result in 54,000 people no longer paying provincial income tax. The plan is separate from the minimum wage formula but was presented by the province as part of the same affordability agenda.

A statement included in the announcement framed the measures as targeted relief. "We are protecting families and individuals by providing targeted supports and affordability measures that help Saskatchewan residents manage rising costs and keep more of their money in their pocket," the statement said.

Long-term wage trend

The October increase continues a pattern of growth in Saskatchewan's minimum wage dating back nearly two decades. Since 2008, the minimum wage has increased by more than 90 per cent, rising from $8.25 to $15.70 per hour by October 1, 2026.

The province did not announce any changes to the indexation formula itself, suggesting future increases are likely to follow the same calculation method.

Additional information on affordability measures for low-income individuals is available through the Government of Saskatchewan's budget website.

Ontario, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia will also see their minimum wage rates increase in October.