Short answer: In Alberta, the minimum wage is $15.00 an hour from 1 October 2018. There is no lower wage for tipped staff: tips come on top of the full minimum wage. Alberta law does not say that tips belong to the employee.
Minimum wage and tips in Alberta
| Alberta | |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $15.00 an hour |
| In force since | 1 October 2018 |
| Lower wage for tipped staff | No |
Unchanged since October 2018. Students under 18 can be paid 13.00 for up to 28 hours a week while school is in session, and 15.00 for hours beyond that.
No lower wage for tipped staff. Tips are not wages.
Alberta has no separate liquor server rate.
Upcoming changes
No increase is scheduled and none has been announced for 2026 or January 2027.
Who owns the tips
Alberta law does not say that tips belong to the employee. The Employment Standards Code leaves tips and other gratuities out of the definition of wages, so the usual wage protections (such as pay deadlines and wage recovery) do not cover them. A bill to change this (Bill 201 in 2025) was introduced but did not become law.
Tip pools
Alberta's Employment Standards Code has no tip pooling rules, so how tips are pooled and who shares is left to the employer. A government hospitality guide says each workplace decides how tips are handled.
Can card fees come out of tips?
Alberta law has no rule on this, so there is no provincial ban on an employer taking card fees out of card tips. Check your employer's written policy.
Income tax on tips in Alberta
Tips are taxable income. The CRA says you must report all tips: direct tips go on your return and controlled tips (paid through your employer) should already be on your T4. We found no exemption or deduction for tips in federal or Alberta tax rules.
Other rules
- Because tips are not wages, they do not count towards the minimum wage, overtime or holiday pay.
- Meal and lodging deductions below minimum wage are capped at 3.35 per meal and 4.41 per day of lodging, with written authorization.
The agency in charge is the Alberta Jobs, Economy and Trade (Employment Standards).
Sharing tips fairly
To share a pool by hours or points, use the tip split calculator. For what a server owes support staff, use the tip-out calculator. Customs for visitors are in tipping in Canada.
Sources
- Employment standards rules (minimum wage)
- Employment Standards Code, RSA 2000 c E-9 (office consolidation, current as of 26 November 2025)
- Individuals: Track and report your tips and gratuities
Checked in October 2026 against the sources above. Wages and rules change; check with the agency in charge before relying on a figure. This is general information, not legal advice.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in Alberta?
$15.00 an hour, from 1 October 2018.
Is there a lower wage for tipped workers in Alberta?
No. Tipped workers get the full minimum wage, and tips come on top.
Can my employer keep my tips in Alberta?
Alberta law does not say that tips belong to the employee. The Employment Standards Code leaves tips and other gratuities out of the definition of wages, so the usual wage protections (such as pay deadlines and wage recovery) do not cover them. A bill to change this (Bill 201 in 2025) was introduced but did not become law.
Can my employer take card fees out of my tips in Alberta?
Alberta law has no rule on this, so there is no provincial ban on an employer taking card fees out of card tips. Check your employer's written policy.
Are tip pools allowed in Alberta?
Alberta's Employment Standards Code has no tip pooling rules, so how tips are pooled and who shares is left to the employer. A government hospitality guide says each workplace decides how tips are handled.
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