What is the difference between a minimum wage and a living wage?

A minimum wage is the lowest wage an employer is legally allowed to pay an employee. In California, the minimum wage is currently set at $12.00 for employers with 25 or fewer employees, or $13.00 for employers with 26 or more employees. This means that if an employer pays any less than this amount, they are in violation of the law. A living wage, on the other hand, is a wage set by an employer or organization that is intended to provide a worker with enough income to pay for basic needs such as food, housing, and other necessary expenses. It is not necessarily a legally mandated rate, but many states and cities do require employers to pay at least a living wage. In California, the living wage is currently set at $15.00 per hour, which is higher than the state minimum wage. In conclusion, the primary difference between a minimum wage and a living wage is that the minimum wage is legally mandated while the living wage is determined by employers or organizations as a wage intended to provide an employee with enough income to cover basic expenses.

Related FAQs

What is the unequal pay between men and women?
What are the State labor laws?
What are the labor laws governing the termination of employees?
What are the laws concerning overtime pay?
What are the laws concerning union dues and other fees?
What are the whistleblower laws?
What is the Davis Bacon Act and Davis Bacon Wage Rates?
What are the laws concerning the use of confidential and proprietary information?
What is the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act?
What is the Veterans' Employment and Training Services (VETS)?

Related Blog Posts

Protecting Your Business with Proactive Labor Laws: A Step-by-Step Guide - July 31, 2023
10 Must-Know Labor Law Tips for Employers - August 7, 2023
How to Avoid Violations of Labor Law When Hiring and Firing - August 14, 2023
An Overview of the Minimum Wage Requirements in Your State - August 21, 2023
Navigating the Complexities of Wage and Hour Laws - August 28, 2023