Working full time at $20 an hour in Canada earns $41,600 a year before tax (40 hours a week, 52 weeks). After federal and provincial tax, CPP and EI, you keep between $32,778 in Nova Scotia and $34,997 in Nunavut. In Ontario that is $34,011 a year, or $2,834 a month.
$20 an hour in Canada after tax, by province
| Province / territory | Take-home per year | Per month | Bi-weekly | Net per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nunavut | $34,997 | $2,916 | $1,346 | $16.83 |
| Northwest Territories | $34,550 | $2,879 | $1,329 | $16.61 |
| British Columbia | $34,487 | $2,874 | $1,326 | $16.58 |
| Alberta | $34,486 | $2,874 | $1,326 | $16.58 |
| Yukon | $34,432 | $2,869 | $1,324 | $16.55 |
| Ontario | $34,011 | $2,834 | $1,308 | $16.35 |
| Saskatchewan | $33,838 | $2,820 | $1,301 | $16.27 |
| New Brunswick | $33,408 | $2,784 | $1,285 | $16.06 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $33,367 | $2,781 | $1,283 | $16.04 |
| Manitoba | $33,286 | $2,774 | $1,280 | $16.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $33,220 | $2,768 | $1,278 | $15.97 |
| Quebec | $33,166 | $2,764 | $1,276 | $15.95 |
| Nova Scotia | $32,778 | $2,732 | $1,261 | $15.76 |
Assumptions: single employee, 40 hours a week all year, 2026 tax year, no RRSP or benefits. Overtime, vacation pay and statutory holiday pay are not included.
The difference between the best and worst province is $2,219 a year. At this income, low-income credits and the basic personal amount matter more than top tax rates.
What is deducted in Ontario
- Federal income tax: $2,898
- Ontario income tax and Health Premium: $1,746
- CPP contributions: $2,267
- Employment Insurance: $678
Your total deductions come to 18.2% of gross pay. Each extra dollar you earn, for example through overtime, is taxed at a marginal rate of about 25%.
Part-time hours at $20 an hour
Many hourly jobs are not 40 hours a week. Here is what $20 an hour in Canada pays at different schedules in Ontario:
| Hours per week | Gross per year | Take-home per year | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | $20,800 | $19,136 | $736 |
| 30 hours | $31,200 | $26,380 | $1,015 |
| 37.5 hours | $39,000 | $32,065 | $1,233 |
| 40 hours | $41,600 | $34,011 | $1,308 |
How $20 compares with minimum wage
| Province | General minimum wage | $20 is above it by |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.95 | $2.05 |
| Quebec | $16.60 | $3.40 |
| British Columbia | $18.25 | $1.75 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | $5.00 |
| Manitoba | $16.40 | $3.60 |
$20 an hour is above the general minimum wage in 12 of the 13 provinces and territories. Minimum wages change during the year in several provinces, so check your provincial labor standards for the latest rate.
Overtime at $20 an hour in Canada
Overtime is usually paid at 1.5 times your regular rate, so $30 an hour. Five hours of overtime every week for a year adds $7,800 of gross pay. In Ontario, your take-home pay would rise from $34,011 to $39,696, so you keep $5,686 of that extra $7,800. Overtime is not taxed at a special rate: it is simply added to your income, and the tax withheld on a big overtime paycheck may look high because payroll treats it as if you earned that much every pay.
Common mistakes with hourly pay
- Assuming 52 paid weeks: if you take unpaid time off, multiply your rate by the hours you actually work.
- Forgetting vacation pay: most provinces require at least 4% vacation pay, which may be paid as time off or added to each paycheck.
- Comparing gross wages across provinces: $20 in Alberta and $20 in Quebec do not leave the same take-home pay.
- Not filing a return: even if you owe nothing, filing gives you access to the GST/HST credit and other benefits.
Budgeting on $20 an hour
With $2,834 a month in Ontario, the 50/30/20 rule gives:
- Needs (50%): $1,417 for rent, food, transit and bills.
- Wants (30%): $850.
- Savings (20%): $567, ideally into a TFSA or emergency fund.
In big cities rent alone can take more than half of this income, so sharing housing is common at this pay level.
The takeaway
$20 an hour in Canada is about $41,600 a year gross and roughly $33,000 to $35,000 after tax for full-time work. See the details on $20 an hour is how much a year, compare with $25 an hour in Canada, or use the Canada income tax calculator. Federal rates are on canada.ca.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $20 an hour in Canada per year?
$41,600 before tax, based on 40 hours a week for 52 weeks.
How much is $20 an hour after tax in Ontario?
About $34,011 a year, or $1,308 every two weeks.
Is $20 an hour above minimum wage in Canada?
Yes, in 12 of the 13 provinces and territories based on 2026 general minimum wages.
How much is $20 an hour per month?
About $3,467 before tax and $2,834 after tax in Ontario.
How much is $20 an hour in Canada part-time?
At 20 hours a week, $20 an hour is $20,800 a year before tax. In Ontario that leaves about $19,136 after tax, because most of it falls under the basic personal amounts.
How much is $20 an hour in Canada per week after tax?
About $654 a week in Ontario and $663 in Alberta, for 40 hours.
Estimates for information only, not tax advice.
