What Is a Living Wage in BC?

A living wage is the hourly rate a worker needs to earn to cover basic costs like rent, food, transportation, and childcare in their community.

In British Columbia, the living wage reflects the real cost of living, helping workers and families move out of working poverty and into financial stability.

A living wage is the hourly rate a worker must earn to meet their basic expenses and participate fully in their community.

The living wage calculation is currently based on the weighted average of costs, government benefits and taxes for three different household types:

• A family of four with two full-time working parents and two children aged four and seven.
• A single parent with one four-year-old child.
• A single adult living alone.

The living wage varies across BC based on costs in each region.

Why the Living Wage Matters in British Columbia

Across BC, many people are working full-time but still struggle to make ends meet. This is known as working poverty.

• Afford basic necessities without financial stress
• Support their family and well-being
• Participate in community life
• Maintain stability and dignity

For employers, paying a living wage can improve retention, morale, and long-term stability.

How the Living Wage Is Calculated

The living wage is based on real costs in each community. It includes:

• Housing and utilities
• Food
• Transportation
• Childcare
• Healthcare expenses
• Taxes and government transfers

It reflects a modest standard of living and does not include savings or debt repayment.

The living wage does not cover additional expenses such as:

• Debt repayment from credit cards, loans or other interest payments 
• Future savings for home ownership, retirement or children’s university education 
• Anything beyond minimal recreation, entertainment and holiday costs 
• Costs of caring for a disabled, seriously ill or elderly family member 

Living Wage Rates in BC

Living wage rates are calculated annually across British Columbia.

See Living Wage Rates in Your Community

Who Pays a Living Wage?

Living wage employers voluntarily commit to paying their staff and contracted workers a living wage. A living wage is an opportunity for employers to do better. A living wage calls on employers to meet a higher standard for their both staff and major contractors, to ensure that wages reflect the true costs of living in a community and that parents can earn what they need to support their families. More than 500 Living Wage Employers across BC agree and have certified with us.

Become a Living Wage Employer

Paying a living wage is one of the most effective ways to support workers and strengthen communities.

Become a Living Wage Employer

BC's child care investments have major impact

Living wage calculations for communities across BC decreased significantly this year, according to a new report released today from the Living Wage for Families Campaign. Even though costs are increasing steeply for rent and other basic necessities, the cost of living for families with children is lower in 2019 thanks to the provincial government’s new child care policies.

The Living Wage Increases Across BC

Soaring housing costs is causing the living wage to increase in Metro Vancouver

The cost of raising a family in British Columbia increased slightly from 2017 to 2018. And if it hadn’t been for reductions in Medical Service Plan premiums and child care costs, the increase would have been higher.

A $20.91 hourly wage is needed to cover the costs of raising a family in Metro Vancouver, up from is $20.62 per hour in 2017. This is the hourly wage that two working parents with two young children must earn to meet their basic expenses (including rent, child care, food and transportation), once government taxes, credits, deductions and subsidies have been taken into account. The cost is calculated annually in Working for a Living Wage : Making Paid Work Meet Basic Family Needs in Metro Vancouver, a report published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ BC office, First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition and the Living Wage for Families Campaign.