Host, Restaurant​/Food Service, Server​/Wait Staff

As per the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the general minimum wage, applicable to restaurant servers, is $18.90 per hour effective October 1, 2026. Servers must be paid this rate for all hours worked, with tips considered additional income not offsetting the minimum. Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate after 44 hours per week.

According to Job Bank, Government of Canada, restaurant cooks (NOC 63200) earn low wages of $16.75 per hour, median $20.25 per hour, and high wages of $28.50 per hour nationally in 2026. These figures are based on recent labour market data adjusted for inflation. Entry-level cooks start near the low end with experience pushing towards median or higher.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requires most foreign restaurant servers to obtain an employer-specific work permit, which needs a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the employer first. The application fee is $155 CAD per person, with processing times averaging 14 weeks in 2026. Open work permits are rare for this occupation unless under specific programs like International Experience Canada.

Job Bank, Government of Canada, indicates no formal education is required for restaurant servers (NOC 65200), with most positions needing less than secondary school and on-the-job training. Previous customer service experience of 6-12 months is typically preferred but not mandatory for entry-level roles. A high school diploma may be an asset in urban areas.