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

Minimum wage and living wage are two different labor policies that exist in most states, including Washington. Minimum wage refers to the lowest amount of money employers must pay employees for their work. In Washington, the minimum wage is currently set at $13.50 per hour and is adjusted yearly by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Living wage, on the other hand, is a higher standard of pay that is meant to provide employees with a sufficient and livable wage, rather than just a bare minimum. It is typically calculated based on the cost of living for the local area and takes into account things such as the cost of housing, food, and other necessities. Generally speaking, living wage requirements are higher than minimum wage laws, meaning employers must pay workers more in order to meet the living wage requirements. In Washington, there is no current law that requires employers to pay a living wage, but various counties, cities, and even businesses have decided to create their own living wage policies. For example, Seattle has its own living wage ordinance that requires employers to pay a minimum of $16.07 per hour for all employees who work within the city limits. As such, the difference between a minimum wage and a living wage in Washington is that the living wage is higher than the minimum wage and is typically set at the local level for employees to earn enough to meet their basic needs and support themselves and their families.

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

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