Short answer: In Saskatchewan, the minimum wage is $15.70 an hour from 1 October 2026. There is no lower wage for tipped staff: tips come on top of the full minimum wage. Employers cannot keep your tips or use them to cover business costs such as theft, errors, damage or wages.
Minimum wage and tips in Saskatchewan
| Saskatchewan | |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $15.70 an hour |
| In force since | 1 October 2026 |
| Lower wage for tipped staff | No |
Up from 15.35. Reviewed each year by a formula and normally takes effect on 1 October.
No lower wage for tipped staff. Tips are not wages and do not count towards minimum wage.
Upcoming changes
Changes are normally announced by 30 June and take effect 1 October. Nothing is announced for January 2027.
Who owns the tips
Employers cannot keep your tips or use them to cover business costs such as theft, errors, damage or wages. They may deduct only legal payroll deductions (income tax, EI, CPP) from card tips, or share tips under a pool. Employment Standards can recover tips an employer unlawfully kept, the same way it recovers wages. The page sets no payment deadline.
Tip pools
Employers may require staff to share tips in a pool, but employees must be told about it (for example by a notice in a visible place) and the employer keeps records for two years after the pool ends. Owners, partners, directors and shareholders can only share if they regularly do the same work as the staff in the pool. Employers cannot require employees to put their wages into a tip pool.
Can card fees come out of tips?
The Saskatchewan page does not mention card processing fees. It does say an employer generally cannot deduct or withhold tips, except where the law requires it or under a pool, and cannot keep tips to cover business costs, so taking card fees out of tips looks like it is not allowed.
Service charges
Yes. Under the 2026 rules a service charge that a customer is meant to see as going to staff counts as a gratuity, so it is covered by the tip rules. The government page lists service charges for things like group bookings as something employers should track.
Income tax on tips in Saskatchewan
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 Saskatchewan tax rules.
Other rules
- Tips are not counted in hourly wage, pay instead of notice, public holiday pay, vacation pay or the overtime rate.
The agency in charge is the Saskatchewan 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
- Minimum Wage and Reporting for Duty Pay
- Protection of Gratuities and Tips
- 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 Saskatchewan?
$15.70 an hour, from 1 October 2026.
Is there a lower wage for tipped workers in Saskatchewan?
No. Tipped workers get the full minimum wage, and tips come on top.
Can my employer keep my tips in Saskatchewan?
Employers cannot keep your tips or use them to cover business costs such as theft, errors, damage or wages. They may deduct only legal payroll deductions (income tax, EI, CPP) from card tips, or share tips under a pool. Employment Standards can recover tips an employer unlawfully kept, the same way it recovers wages. The page sets no payment deadline.
Can my employer take card fees out of my tips in Saskatchewan?
The Saskatchewan page does not mention card processing fees. It does say an employer generally cannot deduct or withhold tips, except where the law requires it or under a pool, and cannot keep tips to cover business costs, so taking card fees out of tips looks like it is not allowed.
Are tip pools allowed in Saskatchewan?
Employers may require staff to share tips in a pool, but employees must be told about it (for example by a notice in a visible place) and the employer keeps records for two years after the pool ends. Owners, partners, directors and shareholders can only share if they regularly do the same work as the staff in the pool. Employers cannot require employees to put their wages into a tip pool.
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