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The minimum wage rate in the Northwest Territories (NWT) is adjusted annually on September 1 using a formula based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Yellowknife and the percentage change in the average hourly wage in the NWT for the preceding calendar year. This change was announced in 2022.
This means that by August 1 each year, the GNWT announces any changes to the NWT minimum wage that will come into effect on September 1.
Have Your Say
The Government of the Northwest Territories seeks public feedback on the minimum wage adjustments every year through a short survey.
This survey ensures the GNWT hears regularly from residents – including employees and employers – on the impacts of changes to the minimum wage rate. Although the GNWT is committed to using the annual formula, collecting data on public sentiment on this approach may help inform future decisions about the minimum wage.
If you require assistance to complete the survey, please contact us at: Email: employment_standards@gov.nt.ca Phone: 1-888-700-5707
Background
Calculating minimum wage using annual formula-based adjustments is intended to:
keep up with increasing costs for NWT residents;
keep up with other jurisdictions’ minimum wage rates;
enable businesses to better plan for increases to the minimum wage rate;
help ensure the lowest earners receive a pay raise each year; and
increase transparency in government decision-making.
Following the shift to formula-based adjustments in 2022, the GNWT committed to conducting public surveys each year. Moving forward, the GNWT will conduct minimum wage surveys every three years.
The latest annual survey was done in early 2025, and 250 respondents provided their feedback. The feedback gathered was published in a What We Heard Report.
Since the introduction of the formula, the minimum wage has been set to:
September 1 2025: $16.95
September 1, 2024: $16.70
September 1, 2023: $16.05
September 1, 2022: $15.20
In the NWT, Consumer Price Index is only calculated for Yellowknife.
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment has the authority to determine and prescribe the minimum wage rate in the NWT, in accordance with the Employment Standards Act and Regulations.
Next Steps
Once the engagement ends, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will review feedback and publish a summary of results in a What We Heard report.
The results will help the Department of Education, Culture and Employment better understand the impacts of the annual adjustments to the minimum wage over the coming years as the formula is used.
The minimum wage rate in the Northwest Territories (NWT) is adjusted annually on September 1 using a formula based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Yellowknife and the percentage change in the average hourly wage in the NWT for the preceding calendar year. This change was announced in 2022.
This means that by August 1 each year, the GNWT announces any changes to the NWT minimum wage that will come into effect on September 1.
Have Your Say
The Government of the Northwest Territories seeks public feedback on the minimum wage adjustments every year through a short survey.
This survey ensures the GNWT hears regularly from residents – including employees and employers – on the impacts of changes to the minimum wage rate. Although the GNWT is committed to using the annual formula, collecting data on public sentiment on this approach may help inform future decisions about the minimum wage.
If you require assistance to complete the survey, please contact us at: Email: employment_standards@gov.nt.ca Phone: 1-888-700-5707
Background
Calculating minimum wage using annual formula-based adjustments is intended to:
keep up with increasing costs for NWT residents;
keep up with other jurisdictions’ minimum wage rates;
enable businesses to better plan for increases to the minimum wage rate;
help ensure the lowest earners receive a pay raise each year; and
increase transparency in government decision-making.
Following the shift to formula-based adjustments in 2022, the GNWT committed to conducting public surveys each year. Moving forward, the GNWT will conduct minimum wage surveys every three years.
The latest annual survey was done in early 2025, and 250 respondents provided their feedback. The feedback gathered was published in a What We Heard Report.
Since the introduction of the formula, the minimum wage has been set to:
September 1 2025: $16.95
September 1, 2024: $16.70
September 1, 2023: $16.05
September 1, 2022: $15.20
In the NWT, Consumer Price Index is only calculated for Yellowknife.
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment has the authority to determine and prescribe the minimum wage rate in the NWT, in accordance with the Employment Standards Act and Regulations.
Next Steps
Once the engagement ends, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will review feedback and publish a summary of results in a What We Heard report.
The results will help the Department of Education, Culture and Employment better understand the impacts of the annual adjustments to the minimum wage over the coming years as the formula is used.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment invites you to take a short survey on the minimum wage rate in the Northwest Territories (NWT). This survey will take approximately five minutes. Your identity will be kept anonymous. General results of the survey will be reported on annually.
From 2013 to 2022, a Minimum Wage Committee, made up of business, labour and community organizations in the NWT, conducted reviews of the minimum wage every two years. The Committee produced reports in 2014, 2017 and 2020, and over that time the minimum wage increased from $10.00 to $15.20 per hour.
Now the minimum wage is adjusted annually using a formula based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Yellowknife and the percentage change in the average hourly wage in the NWT for the preceding calendar year. In the NWT, Consumer Price Index is only calculated for Yellowknife.
