Shift Premium Calculator
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Calculate shift premiums — the $0.50-$3.50/hour (or 5-15%) differentials Canadian employers pay for evenings, nights and weekends: how they stack with overtime, feed vacation pay, and compare across sectors.
Quick answer: Canadian shift premiums are contractual (no statutory differential): typical ranges — evenings $0.75-1.50/hr, nights $1.00-3.50/hr or 10%, weekends $1.00-2.00/hr; healthcare collective agreements anchor the top. Premiums are WAGES: they enter overtime rates and vacation pay.
Market Benchmarks
| Shift | Typical premium | Sector peaks |
|---|---|---|
| Evening (15:00-23:00) | $0.75 - 1.50/hr | Healthcare CAs ~$2+ |
| Night (23:00-07:00) | $1.00 - 3.50/hr or 10% | Nursing agreements $3.50+, mining/mills 10-15% |
| Weekend | $1.00 - 2.00/hr | Healthcare weekend + night stack |
No province mandates differentials (they’re bargaining outcomes) — but once promised, they’re enforceable wages with two legal consequences employers miss:
- Overtime stacking: OT computes on the REGULAR RATE including the premium — a $26 + $2 night worker’s OT hour pays (28) × 1.5 = $42, not $41.
- Vacationable earnings: premiums feed the 4-6% vacation pay base and holiday-pay averages.
Worked Example
$26 base, $2 night premium, 24 night hours/week: +$48/week ≈ $2,496/year — plus ~$100 of extra vacation pay and higher OT rates. Stacked weekend-night in a hospital CA ($3.50 + $1.25): +$114/week on the same hours.
Negotiation and Health Notes
Premiums undercompensate the documented health costs of permanent nights (sleep, cardiovascular, WHO’s shift-work classification) — rotating patterns and nap-friendly scheduling matter more than another dollar; use the premium benchmarks when bargaining but count the full differential picture. Verify the premium appears on every eligible hour — payroll systems dropping it from OT and stat-holiday averages is the common audit find.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are shift premiums required by law in Canada?
No — they’re contractual/collective-agreement terms; but once promised they’re enforceable wages feeding overtime and vacation calculations.
Does overtime include the shift premium?
Yes — OT applies to the regular rate INCLUDING differentials: premium hours’ OT pays 1.5× (base + premium).
What are typical premium amounts?
Evenings $0.75-1.50/hr, nights $1.00-3.50/hr (or ~10%), weekends $1.00-2.00 — healthcare collective agreements set the high-water marks.
Do premiums count for vacation pay?
Yes — they’re vacationable earnings in every province; 4-6% rides on top of premium dollars too.
Should I take the night premium?
Price the health trade honestly — premiums rarely cover documented shift-work costs; rotation quality and schedule control are worth as much as the dollars.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026