Student jobs in Yukon: one of Canada's highest minimum wages in one of its smallest job markets
Yukon's minimum wage is $18.51 an hour as of April 1, 2026, among the highest in the country, and students earn the full rate. The territory has no single legislated minimum working age; instead, school attendance rules and job-specific safety restrictions decide what a teen can do. Whitehorse holds the large majority of openings, Dawson City adds a short intense tourist season, and the rest of the territory offers very few posted jobs.
Minimum wage in Yukon for students
The Yukon minimum wage is $18.51 per hour, effective April 1, 2026. It applies to every employee, so there is no lower youth, student or training rate. The territory adjusts the wage each April 1 in line with the consumer price index for Whitehorse, which means a new figure arrives every spring. Confirm the current number on the Yukon minimum wage page if you are reading this after March 2027.
That rate buys less than it sounds. Whitehorse rent and groceries run well above southern Canadian prices, which is one reason the floor sits so high. Still, for a student living at home a weekend job at $18.51 adds up quickly, and tips in Whitehorse restaurants and Dawson City bars sit on top of the hourly wage rather than replacing part of it.
How old do you have to be to work in Yukon?
This is the honest answer: Yukon does not publish a single minimum working age the way Alberta or Saskatchewan do. Three rules combine to set the practical limits.
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Education Act: compulsory school attendance until 16 | If you are under 16 you cannot work during school hours. Evenings, weekends and summer are open |
| Employment Standards Act: the Employment Standards Board may prohibit people under 17 from specified occupations | Some jobs can be closed to anyone under 17 by board order. Ask Yukon Employment Standards whether a specific role is restricted before you accept it |
| Mine safety regulations | Surface mining work generally requires age 16; underground work requires 18 |
Source: Yukon Employment Standards Act and Yukon Employment Standards. Because the rules sit in several places, call or email the Employment Standards office before a first job if you are under 16; staff answer these questions regularly.
In practice, most Whitehorse employers set their own floor at 15 or 16 for retail and food service, and 18 for anything involving alcohol service, late closing shifts alone, or driving a company vehicle. A bill to add detailed young worker protections was introduced in the legislature but, at the time of writing, is not law, so do not rely on summaries of it that you may find online.
Where students find work in Yukon
Yukon's whole population is smaller than many Ontario suburbs, so expect fewer postings than you would see for a mid sized southern city. The upside is less competition, employers who know your school, and a tourism season that struggles to find enough workers every summer. The Campus Atlas page for Yukon shows the live openings and the schools they sit near.
Whitehorse
Almost all year round student work is here. Grocery stores, the downtown and Main Street shops, fast food and coffee chains along the Alaska Highway strip, the city's recreation centres and pools, hotels, the airport, and the territorial government, which runs a student summer employment program each year for high school and post-secondary students. Yukon University's Ayamdigut campus and the high schools anchor the youth labour pool.
Dawson City
From May to September Dawson runs on seasonal workers: hotels, restaurants, tour operators, the casino and heritage sites. Many positions include staff housing and are open to students 18 and over who can stay for the full season. Winter work is very limited.
Watson Lake, Haines Junction, Carmacks and smaller communities
A handful of jobs at the general store, gas station, lodge or community recreation program. Word of mouth matters more than postings, so ask directly and check the territorial and First Nation government summer programs.
Typical first jobs for Yukon students
Grocery cashier and stocker, barista and counter service, hotel housekeeping and front desk in summer, tour and visitor centre assistant, day camp leader with the city, lifeguard once certified, dishwasher and kitchen helper, and seasonal landscaping or trail crew. Students 18 and over with a driver's licence often move into delivery, airport ground work and expediting roles that pay well above the minimum.
Hiring runs on a tight calendar. Tourism employers recruit from February to April for May starts. Retail and food service pick up in late August when seasonal staff leave and again before Christmas. Apply early; a Whitehorse manager in March is choosing their summer team, not in June.
Finding jobs near your school
Open the Yukon page of the Campus Atlas, choose your high school or the Yukon University campus, and you will see live openings in Whitehorse or your community with the wage displayed. Build a short resume with the free Resume Builder, mention any first aid, food safety or WHMIS certificate you hold, and apply straight from the listing. Employers using Campus Direct send postings to every school within 100 km of the job, which in Yukon means the whole Whitehorse area at once.
See live student jobs in Yukon on the Campus Atlas (free, wages shown on every listing).
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Yukon in 2026?
The Yukon minimum wage is $18.51 per hour as of April 1, 2026. It applies to all employees including students and workers under 18, because the territory has no separate youth or student rate. Yukon adjusts the wage every April 1 based on the Whitehorse consumer price index, so a new rate takes effect each spring.
How old do you have to be to work in Yukon?
Yukon has no single legislated minimum working age. Students must attend school until 16, so anyone younger cannot work during school hours. The Employment Standards Act allows the Employment Standards Board to bar people under 17 from specified occupations, and mine safety rules require 16 for surface work and 18 underground. Most Whitehorse employers hire from 15 or 16.
Are there many student jobs in Whitehorse?
Whitehorse has far fewer postings than a southern city of similar fame, but most of Yukon's student jobs are there: grocery, retail, restaurants, recreation centres, hotels, the airport and territorial government summer programs. Competition per posting is lower than in big cities, and tourism employers often cannot find enough summer staff. The Campus Atlas Yukon page shows the live count.
Can a student get a summer job in Dawson City?
Yes, from roughly May to September. Hotels, restaurants, tour companies, heritage attractions and the casino hire seasonal staff, and many roles include staff housing. Most positions with housing or alcohol service require you to be 18 or older and to commit to the full season. Employers recruit between February and April, so apply well before the season starts.
Sources
- Government of Yukon: Find the minimum wage in the Yukon
- Government of Yukon: Employment standards
- Yukon Employment Standards Act, RSY 2002, c. 72
Disclaimer
This article is general information for young job seekers, not legal, financial or employment advice. Minimum wages, minimum working ages, hours limits and program rules change, often on April 1 or October 1, and they differ by province and territory. Always confirm the current rules with your provincial or territorial government, the employment standards office, or the relevant federal department before relying on them. YouthBoard makes every effort to keep articles accurate, but they may contain errors or be out of date, and we accept no liability for any loss or decision made based on this content. If you spot something wrong, tell us and we will fix it.
