Living Wage For US

Did you know 90% of Americans live in a location where the #livingwage is more than $20/hour, but more than 40% of U.S. workers earn less than $15/hour? This means that working families across the country can’t meet their basic needs.

Food is a daily, unavoidable cost 🛒 Prices are up 25%+ since 2019 and remain elevated. 💡 This is where affordability becomes real. Visit livingwageforus.org/get-certified to learn more about food costs in your area.

In Gothamist, Living Wage For Us CEO Michelle Murray shares that living wage benchmarks reach ~$34/hr (commuting) and ~$40/hr (within NYC). Minimum wage ≠ living wage. gothamist.com/news/it-cant-s…

Living Wage housing isn't based on luxury rents. It uses HUD Fair Market Rent at the 40th percentile - what modest, standard housing actually costs. For families with 1–2 children, it assumes a 2-bedroom, adjusted with local ACS data. Real wages should reflect real rent costs.

Having a job does not always guarantee stable housing. Rent is the largest expense for most households, and when it rises faster than wages, even full-time workers can struggle. You can work full-time and still not afford housing; this is a gap living wages are meant to close.

Living wages are not one-size-fits-all. The real cost of living varies dramatically across communities, which means the wage required to support a family varies as well. That's why LW4US produces locally specific living wage standards grounded in real cost-of-living data.

Oil prices above $100 per barrel can ripple across the economy. ⛽ Higher fuel costs can influence commuting, heating, groceries, and the price of everyday goods - shaping the real cost of living for working families. 📊

We appreciate seeing our certified employers engaging with the broader conversation around living wages. ⭐ This thoughtful piece from Dr. Bronner’s connects living wages, supply chains, and sustainability. 🌍 🔗 Read more: info.drbronner.com/all-one-blog/2…

Purpose Pledge launches at #ExpoWest 🌿 Living Wage For Us serves as Commitment Catalyst for fair compensation and living wage commitments — embedding economic benchmarking into purpose-led governance. #PurposePledge #LivingWage

Congratulations to Prime Content on becoming a Leading Living Wage Certified Employer!

As the year comes to a close, we pause to reflect on what truly sustains our communities: the people who show up every day to keep businesses running, families supported, and local economies strong.

“They thought they had made it. Now they can’t afford food.” A NYT article by Sarah Maslin Nir highlights the “missing middle.” This is the gap Living Wage For Us works with employers on daily, using county-level cost data. nytimes.com/2025/12/18/nyr… #LivingWage #MissingMiddle

Proud to recognize Living Roofs, Inc. as the first employer dually certified by Just Economics + Living Wage For Us through our On Up program 🌱 On Up supports trusted local certifiers while offering employers country-wide recognition for living wage commitments. 🌎🤝

It’s here! 💥 The 2026 U.S. Living Wage Rates are officially live. Check out our interactive map to see what a living wage looks like in your area: livingwageforus.org/get-certified #LivingWageWeek #TheDifferenceItMakes #LivingWageForUS #FairPay

Our next #LivingWageWeek2025 highlight: the Global Living Wage Affiliate Network, led by @LivingWageUK. LW4US joined early, contributing U.S. insights to global alignment on fair pay. Read more: livingwage.org.uk/news/around-wo… #LivingWageForUS

Day 4 of #LivingWageWeek2025 is about collaboration. Today we’re highlighting TOOTRiS and others. Each plays a key role in the living wage ecosystem. Join us in an hour for our webinar with TOOTRiS. Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

🎥 Certified Employer Spotlight: Evolution Marketing Sustainability starts with people. By paying a living wage, they’re proving that fair pay and environmental impact go hand in hand. Watch their story! #LivingWageWeek2025 #LivingWageForUS #TheDifferenceItMakes #FairPay

🌍 Day 3 of #LivingWageWeek2025! We’ve updated how Living Wages are calculated — aligning with the Global Living Wage Reference Standard (WageMap) and employer feedback. These refinements make U.S. benchmarks stronger, more consistent, and globally comparable.

🎥 Employer Spotlight: Necessary & Sufficient A living wage builds stronger teams and a more sustainable business. Hear how they’re proving The Difference It Makes. #LivingWageWeek2025 #LivingWageForUS #FairPay

Living Wage Week 2025 kicks off today! Join us as we celebrate! Today 1 PM EST: Dr. Bronner’s CEO David Bronner + LW4US CEO Michelle Murray live webinar. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regist… 2026 rates & methodology updates coming soon! #LivingWageWeek2025 #LivingWageForUS #FairPay

🌍 Living Wage Week 2025 is almost here! 💵 New 2026 Living Wage Rates 💬 Webinars w/ Dr. Bronner’s + TOOTRiS 🌐 Global rollout of #WageMap Join us to show #TheDifferenceItMakes! #LivingWageForUS #FairPay #BusinessForGood