Tompkins County has a new living wage of $16.61 per hour.
The announcement was made jointly last week by the Tompkins County Workers’ Center and Alternatives Federal Credit Union.
The new living wage is 8.5% above last year’s living wage of $15.32 per hour.
Workers’ Center: Inflation means last year’s wages aren’t cutting it for workers in Tompkins County
The living wage is calculated based on the cost of living in Tompkins County for a single person and includes a savings component.
“While normally the living wage is calculated on a biennial basis, we’ve also never experienced these inflationary pressures,” said TCWC Coordinator Pete Meyers. “Workers can no longer live on last year’s wages. It is clear we needed a new living wage now.”
“We’re gratified to see the commitment we initiated in 1994 to lead our local community in paying living wages still alive and well,” said Kevin Mietlicki, Alternatives CEO. “And pleased to see the model for calculating a local living wage which we developed then still valid.”
View this spreadsheet for more details on the makeup of this year’s living wage.
For more information on certifying as a Living Wage Employer, head to this website.
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