Orange County Living Wage Increases to $17.65 an Hour in 2024

Chapel Hill, NC, Jan. 4, 2024 – Orange County’s newly updated 2024 living wage for hourly workers is $17.65 an hour, or $16.15 an hour for employers who pay at least half of employees’ health insurance costs. Orange County Living Wage (OCLW) adjusts the living wage annually to keep pace with rising rents. The 2023 living wage was $16.60 an hour, or $15.10 an hour for employers who pay at least half of employees’ health insurance costs.

OCLW determines its living wage by using the widely accepted Universal Living Wage Formula based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standard that no more than 30% of a person’s gross income should be devoted to housing. To calculate the wage, OCLW uses the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in a four-county area including Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange counties.

Since Orange County Living Wage’s voluntary employer certification program began in 2015, nearly 366 employers have certified as paying all full- and part-time employees the living wage. The 264 employers on OCLW’s current roster employ more than 8,500 employees in Orange County. In the past year, 25 new employers were recognized for their commitment to paying a living wage.

“On July 24, 2024, we will mark 15 years since the federal minimum hourly wage has been raised,” says OCLW Director Debbie Everly. “We proudly certify employers in Orange County who pay their workers a living wage. These employers are not only investing in our local economy; they are paying the necessary wage for workers to purchase essential items and live closer to their jobs. Those of us who can live close to where we work may not think about the sacrifices made by those with long commutes – less time with family, less time helping kids with homework, less time to relax, less time and ability to attend teacher conferences, children’s events, and more. Being paid a living wage can lift individuals and families in immeasurable ways.”

When a business or organization certifies as a living wage employer, OCLW calculates the total amount they raised wages to meet the living wage threshold. Since 2015, that total is more than $3 million, with over $225,000 stemming from 2023 wage increases alone – money that is often spent in Orange County.

Learn more about Orange County Living Wage, view postings on the living wage jobs board, or apply to become a certified living wage employer at orangecountylivingwage.org.

6 Ways to Support Living Wage Businesses/Orgs This Holiday Season

1. We have many non-profits on our roster, who work tirelessly to improve our community when it comes to housing, hunger, racial justice, and more. Consider making an end-of-year, tax-deductible donation to one or more of them before 2023 comes to a close. Looking to volunteer over the holidays? Check in with our non-profits about their opportunities to lend a hand!

2. The businesses on our roster love selling gift cards – and the friends and family on your holiday shopping list love receiving them, whether it’s to a restaurant, a specialty shop, a brewery, or a florist.

3. Consider our living wage restaurants when planning holiday celebrations and/or ordering party platters. 

4. Say thank you. If you’re out and about and see an Orange County Living Wage decal, express your gratitude to that business or organization. Acknowledge their efforts to create an economy that works for all. Even better, post your acknowledgement to social media so that others can applaud their efforts as well.

5. Donate to Orange County Living Wage. Over 260 certified living wage employers appear on our roster. They represent roughly 10% of all workers in Orange County. Grow our living wage movement by making a tax-deductible, end-of-year donation to OCLW. Help us host networking events for our living wage employers/employees, maintain our Job Board, fund promotional efforts for our living wage employers, and most of all, raise workers’ wages!

6. Join our Certification Committee! This involves reaching out to local employers, letting them know about our voluntary certification program and answering any questions those employers may have about our application process. Email us to learn more.

Thank you for showing your appreciation for these positive change makers in our local economy!

Shop the Living Wage Gift Guide This Season

 

The Living Wage Network – of which Orange County Living Wage is a member – is proud to present the Living Wage Gift Guide! As you shop for your loved ones this holiday season, you can make a positive impact by purchasing gifts from businesses and organizations that pay their employees a living wage. You can browse through the guide and shop directly on the companies’ websites, or if you happen to live in the area, stop by in person!

All companies in this guide ship across the United States. These really are the gifts that keep on giving.

Local living wage employers featured in the guide include Big Spoon Roasters, Carrboro Coffee Roasters, Hillsborough Yarn Shop, Rumors, Melissa Designer Jewelry, and Burwell School Historic Site.

The Living Wage Network’s mission is to support worker livelihoods by urging employers to pay living wages, certifying and publicly recognizing living wage employers, and promoting living wages as a matter of conscience within our community.

Hitting the $3 Million Mark

Orange County Living Wage is thrilled to announce that our certified living wage employers have now raised wages by more than $3 million since our non-profit was founded in 2015.

When a business or organization certifies as a living wage employer, OCLW calculates the total amount they raised wages to meet the living wage threshold. This money often remains in Orange County, as employees spend their dollars where they live and work. A large body of research shows that wage increases – particularly for those at the bottom of the income spectrum – enhance community-level economic activity and support local businesses; reduce the amount by which taxpayers subsidize corporations for the low wages they pay; and lessen the pay inequalities for women and people of color that depress overall economic growth.

In other words, the entire community benefits when wages are lifted!

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Overview of OCLW 2023-2026 Strategic Plan

Our board has approved a strategic plan to guide our work over the next three years. Here’s an overview:

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Join Us at Pluck Farm on Labor Day!

On Labor Day afternoon (Sept. 4 from 2 to 6 p.m.), we’re hosting a concert fundraiser at the beautiful Pluck Farm!

This will be fun for the whole family: Enjoy games, an 18-hole disc golf course, gorgeous scenery, and  delicious cuisine from food trucks. The following food trucks will be on site: Blue Window (Mediterranean fare), Larine’s Kitchen (fried fish, sandwiches, fries), and Alsies (ice cream).

 

Admission is free, and no RSVP is required. 10% of Steel String purchases will support OCLW’s mission. Donations to Orange County Living Wage are encouraged – help us continue to lift wages for the entire community!

The concert will feature performances by Blue Cactus, Mellow Swells, and Titan and Crew (East Chapel Hill High’s jazz band).

This will be a great occasion to celebrate workers and remind our community why we must keep fighting for an economy that works for all.

 

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Kathleen Shapley-Quinn, MD and Todd Shapley-Quinn, MD
(Kathleen is founder of recently certified living wage employer Carolina Advocates for Climate, Health, and Equity) 

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Orange County Living Wage Increases to $16.60 an Hour in 2023

Orange County’s newly updated 2023 living wage for hourly workers is $16.60 an hour, or $15.10 for employers who pay at least half of employees’ health insurance costs. Orange County Living Wage (OCLW) adjusts the living wage annually to keep pace with rising rents.

OCLW determines its living wage by using the widely accepted Universal Living Wage Formula based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standard that no more than 30% of a person’s gross income should be devoted to housing. To calculate the wage, OCLW uses the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in a four-county area including Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange counties.

Since Orange County Living Wage’s voluntary employer certification program began in 2015, nearly 340 employers have certified as paying all full- and part-time employees the living wage. The 266 employers on OCLW’s current roster employ about 9,000 employees in Orange County. In this past year of record inflation, 48 new employers were recognized for their commitment to paying a living wage.

“Someone earning $7.25 per hour will gross $15,080, if they work 40 hours a week all year. In this time of rising costs, it is completely insufficient,” says OCLW Director Susan Romaine. “A $16.60 hourly wage reflects the minimum wage necessary for workers to live close enough to our county to provide essential services like staffing our hospitals, schools, police and fire departments, grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, nonprofits, and more. We commend our 266 certified living wage employers for their leadership in the local economy and for prioritizing their workers.”

When a business or organization certifies as a living wage employer, OCLW calculates the total amount they raised wages to meet the living wage threshold. Since 2015, that total is $2.8 million, with over $950,000 stemming from 2022 wage increases alone – money that is often spent in Orange County.

Learn more about Orange County Living Wage, view postings on the living wage jobs board, or fill out the free application to become a certified living wage employer at orangecountylivingwage.org.

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Golden Fig Books Joins the Orange County Living Wage Roster

Orange County Living Wage is pleased to announce that Golden Fig Books has been certified as a living wage employer.

Independently owned by David Bradley, the book shop opened this fall in Carrboro’s Carr Mill Mall.

Seven days a week, the team offers a mix of new, used, and children’s books. Patrons can bring in their used books to possibly receive cash or store credit.

Learn more at goldenfigbooks.com. 

David is pictured at center with Olivia LaMarca and Sarah Yarborough. Read on for David’s thoughts on the importance of paying a living wage.

Why have you decided to pay a living wage? 

Golden Fig Books pays a living wage because we believe it’s fundamental that any workplace be able to provide for its employees. I’ve always wanted Golden Fig to have a positive effect on our community and, to me, that starts with our staff. As we continue to grow, I’m hopeful that we can make bookselling a viable long-term career option and, in order to do that, we have to start by guaranteeing a liveable wage for everybody involved.

What does the living wage mean to you? 

I view a living wage as an excellent starting point for a sustainable business. The federal minimum wage has lagged so far behind inflation, worker productivity, and the cost of living that it is basically meaningless to today’s economic environment. By starting our employees at a living wage, we hope this allows them to lead full lives and take pride in their work without the constant stress that comes with being chronically underpaid.

How do living wages benefit your employees, your business, and the broader community?

This is one of the occasions where the saying “a rising tide lifts all boats” truly does apply. Living wages have the direct benefit of putting more money in the hands of our employees and demonstrating that we value the incredible work they do at the store. But, from a broader perspective, it also has the benefit of uplifting and improving our local community. If everyone were guaranteed a living wage, there would simply be more money spread throughout the community, leading to innumerable benefits such as increased tax revenue for local government projects, more worker freedom (both in terms of time and opportunities), and more disposable income that can be put back into the community’s locally owned businesses in a virtuous cycle. Every organization that commits to paying living wages brings us one small step closer to that vision.

 

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Grow the Living Wage Movement with Your Tax-Deductible Donation

Dear Living Wage Supporter,

During this time of labor shortages and soaring inflation, we’re very proud that Orange County Living Wage (OCLW) is adding new employers to our roster at a record pace. Over 250 certified living wage employers appear on our roster, up from 220 in 2021. They represent 8,800 workers – roughly 10% of all workers in Orange County.

As our living wage community grows, wages climb. Our 2022 living wage is $15.85 per hour, or $14.35 per hour if the employer pays at least half the cost of health insurance. Since OCLW’s launch in 2015, our certified employers have raised wages by a combined $2.8 million to meet our annually adjusted living wage threshold. That extra money makes it possible for lower-wage workers to pay for rent, food, and transportation, with the dollars often spent right here in Orange County.

Will you help OCLW grow our living wage movement by making an end-of-year donation?
▪ For $1,000, sponsor two networking events for our 250 certified living wage employers, creating opportunities for cost-saving collaborations and synergies.
▪ For $250, help us maintain our Job Board, connecting employers to skilled workers and workers to good-paying jobs.
▪ For $150, help us fund publicity for our living wage employers through social media, a bimonthly newsletter, our blog, opportunities to engage with the media, and printed pieces such as brochures.
▪ For $100, supply framed certificates and breakroom posters for 10 certified living wage employers.
▪ For $50, purchase OCLW storefront decals for 10 employers.
▪ For $7.25, remind yourself and others of the unacceptable 13-year-old minimum wage for workers in Orange County.

Make your tax-deductible gift today. Mail a check payable to OCLW at P.O. Box 1502, Carrboro, NC 27510. Or visit our website at orangecountylivingwage.org/donate/. You can also head to our website to view our growing roster of living wage employers – all would appreciate your support this holiday season.

Thank you for doing your part to sustain living wages and create a more equitable economy for everyone in Orange County!