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.

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