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

The difference between a minimum wage law and a living wage law in Indiana is substantial. The minimum wage law sets the lowest wage that employers may legally pay workers for each hour they work. This wage is currently set at $7.25 per hour in Indiana. On the other hand, a living wage law is an effort to ensure that workers earn enough money to support their families at a level that is considered the minimum standard of living. This wage is higher than the minimum wage, and may be set according to the local cost of living. In Indiana, no living wage law has been passed yet, so the state does not currently have one. What employers must pay workers depends on the type of job they do. Some employers may pay more than the minimum wage depending on the market and the job requirements. For example, certain employers in the technology industry may pay engineers or computer programmers higher salaries than the minimum wage. Ultimately, the purpose of minimum wage laws is to protect workers by providing them with a fair wage and preventing them from being exploited. Living wage laws go further by helping to ensure that workers can support their families and still be able to save for the future. Though Indiana does not currently have a living wage law, there is a push for one in the future.

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

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