BC minimum wage for restaurants in 2026: 18.25 dollars, liquor servers and the June adjustment

Labour is the biggest cost most restaurants carry, and in British Columbia the minimum wage rises every June. Knowing the number, the date and the rules around it lets you price your menu and plan your rota with fewer surprises.

What is the BC minimum wage in 2026?

The general minimum wage in British Columbia rose to 18.25 dollars an hour on 1 June 2026, up from 17.85 dollars on 1 June 2025, according to the provincial government's page on the topic. Since 1 June 2024 each year's rise follows the change in BC's consumer price index, rounded to the nearest five cents, and takes effect on 1 June. The next adjustment is due on 1 June 2027, and its size depends on that year's inflation, so check the government's page in spring.

Is there a lower wage for servers?

No. Liquor servers used to have a lower minimum wage, on the theory that tips made up the difference. The BC government's guidance now says liquor servers must be paid the regular minimum wage for hours worked, in addition to any tips or gratuities they receive. You cannot use tips to make up the gap between a lower hourly rate and the legal minimum. Some employers still believe the old rule applied.

How does the rise affect your labour cost?

Work the rise through your own payroll each spring. List your hours at minimum wage, then the hours of staff paid a little above it, since their rates often follow the minimum upward. Employers also pay extra on top of wages for items such as employer contributions, WorkSafeBC premiums and vacation pay, so the real cost is higher than the hourly rate. Do this calculation each spring so that June does not catch you out.

What else should you check about pay?

• Minimum daily pay. If an employee reports for work as required, section 34 of the Employment Standards Act generally requires at least 2 hours' pay, even if you send them home early. If you scheduled them for more than 8 hours that day, the minimum is 4 hours.
• Split shifts. A split shift must be finished within 12 hours of the start, and the 12 hours include the break.
• Hours and overtime. The government's page sets standard hours at 8 a day and 40 a week, with higher rates beyond them. Check how it applies to your rota.
• Statutory holidays. Staff may be entitled to pay for statutory holidays, and working one has its own pay rules. The government publishes the list each year.
• Paid sick leave. After 90 consecutive days of employment, employees are entitled to 5 paid sick days and 3 unpaid days of job-protected leave each calendar year.
• Delivery workers. BC sets a separate minimum for app-based delivery and ride-hailing work, 21.89 dollars an hour of engaged time from 1 June 2026. It applies to platform companies and their workers, not to your own employees, who are paid at least the general minimum wage.

These rules come from the Employment Standards Act. Read the government's guidance on each before you set a rota.

Should you raise your menu prices?

Many owners raise prices by a small amount each year instead of in a big jump. Raise the prices of dishes with a strong margin first, and avoid pushing up the entry-level items that bring people through the door. Work out what labour is as a share of your sales before you decide how much of the rise to pass on.

How can you manage hours without cutting service?

• Track sales by hour so you can see which hours are slow.
• Stagger starts so the number on shift matches the lunch and dinner peaks.
• Cross-train staff so that the person who busses can also run food.
• Prepare more in the quiet hours.

Cutting hours blindly can damage service, so cut where the data says you are overstaffed.

What about young workers?

Section 9 of the Employment Standards Act sets rules for hiring anyone under 16. An employer needs the written consent of a parent or guardian to hire a 14 or 15 year old for light work, and the Director's permission for other work. The Regulation lists what counts as light work. Check the Employment Standards Branch before you roster a young worker.

What should you do before 1 June each year?

1. Check the new rate when it is announced.
2. Update your payroll system.
3. Recalculate your menu costs.
4. Tell staff about changes in writing.
5. Review the pay of experienced staff so the gap above minimum does not close entirely.

What about holiday pay and vacation?

Employees in British Columbia earn vacation pay as a percentage of their wages, and the percentage rises with length of service. Statutory holiday pay depends on how many days the employee worked in the preceding weeks. Both are calculated on wages, so when the minimum wage goes up, so does the cost of these entitlements. Make sure your payroll system pulls the new rate into the calculation, and ask your payroll provider to confirm how it treats tips and service charges.

Where to look

The Employment Standards Branch publishes the current rates and rules. If you are unsure whether a situation is covered, ask the Branch, since a mistake in wage rules can cost more than the advice.

More guides for your business:

• The Accessible BC Act and your restaurant website: what applies today and what to do anyway
• PST and GST for BC restaurants: what to charge on food, alcohol, takeout and gift cards
• Preparing for a BC health inspection: what environmental health officers check and how to keep records ready

More in the Canadian guides for food businesses.