$18 Minimum Wage Initiative
Over a decade ago, progressive leaders on the Richmond City Council led the effort to pass the Minimum Wage Increase Ordinance. Since then, major economic and social changes have taken place which have affected the quality of life for all working people. From the COVID-19 pandemic to hyperinflation in consumer goods, today’s households are holding on by a thread.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Zillow, an average Bay Area adult currently needs to earn over $100,000 ($50 hourly) to afford a one-bedroom apartment.
|
City |
Median observed rent (Feb. 2024) |
Salary needed for single adult |
Hourly wage needed for a single adult |
|
San Jose, CA |
$3,107.32 |
$124,292.91 |
$59.76 |
|
San Francisco, CA |
$3,276.27 |
$131,050.81 |
$63.01 |
|
Oakland, CA |
$2,483.37 |
$99,334.88 |
$47.76 |
|
Fremont, CA |
$2,933.49 |
$117,339.70 |
$56.41 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Zillow. "Housing Costs in the Bay Area: Median Rents and Salaries Needed." April 24, 2024. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/income-needed-to-move-to-major-cities.
How Proposition 32 Works
Prop 32 offers a long overdue living wage increase for the most at-risk families and individuals in Richmond. Employers with 26 or more employees would increase their minimum wage to $18 by January 1, 2025. Those with 25 or fewer employees would have an additional year to do so.
The Yes on California Living Wage Act is the primary supporter of Prop 32. Between 1996 to 2022, a vast majority of U.S. voters (92.86%) have approved minimum wage increases. We encourage you to read about the measure and plan on voting "yes" this November.
What does it cost for Richmond families to survive?
The city’s current minimum wage ($17.20 per hour as of January 2024), can be found here. However, the concept of what a “living wage” is varies widely.
“Three people in the country have as much wealth as the entire bottom half of the population, and we all know it's the bottom half that gets out there every day to do the work. And those workers deserve compensation, not living from meager paycheck to meager paycheck with no assurance of enough food, medical care, housing, transportation, and technological connectivity; not worrying about a toothache requiring a dentist they can't afford. This capitalism run amok needs reigning in. A correction is long overdue.” — Kathleen Wimer, Richmond Resident
The consumer price index (CPI) for food and beverage has increased by over 5% per year since 2020 (the start of the COVID-19 pandemic), for example.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Consumer Price Index for Food and Beverages." April 2024. https://www.bls.gov/cpi/.
What’s a true living wage?
Based on a 2024 study by Dr. Amy K. Glasmeier and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a single adult in Contra Costa County with no children would need a pre-tax income of $60,621 for basic necessities. These include food, medical, housing, transportation, and internet service.
A dual-income household with two children would need $156,747 in pre-tax income to maintain a similar quality of life. According to the same study, a “living wage” for a single adult without children is $29.14 per hour. A living wage for two adults raising two children rises to $37.68 per hour.
Estimated Annual Expenses for Adults in Contra Costa County
|
Type |
0 Children |
1 Child |
|
Food |
$5,013 |
$7,390 |
|
Child Care |
$0 |
$17,741 |
|
Medical |
$2,837 |
$9,402 |
|
Housing |
$22,042 |
$31,282 |
|
Transportation |
$11,618 |
$13,446 |
|
Civic |
$3,032 |
$5,335 |
|
Internet & Mobile |
$1,901 |
$1,901 |
|
Other |
$4,739 |
$8,459 |
|
Required annual income after taxes |
$51,182 |
$94,955 |
|
Annual taxes |
$9,439 |
$16,905 |
|
Required annual income before taxes |
$60,621 |
$111,860 |
Source: Dr. Amy K. Glasmeier and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Living Wage Calculator for Contra Costa County, CA." 2024. https://livingwage.mit.edu/.
Typical Salaries for Common Occupations in Contra Costa County
|
Occupational Area |
Typical Annual Salary |
|
Management |
$155,120 |
|
Business & Financial Operations |
$94,210 |
|
Computer & Mathematical |
$143,670 |
|
Architecture & Engineering |
$116,250 |
|
Life, Physical, & Social Science |
$97,210 |
|
Community & Social Service |
$65,450 |
|
Legal |
$153,910 |
|
Education, Training, & Library |
$75,880 |
|
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, & Media |
$107,330 |
|
Healthcare Practitioners & Technical |
$119,400 |
|
Healthcare Support |
$37,760 |
|
Protective Service |
$64,790 |
|
Food Preparation & Serving Related |
$37,220 |
|
Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance |
$41,940 |
|
Personal Care & Service |
$42,080 |
|
Sales & Related |
$58,040 |
|
Office & Administrative Support |
$52,170 |
|
Farming, Fishing, & Forestry |
$36,710 |
|
Construction & Extraction |
$69,630 |
|
Installation, Maintenance, & Repair |
$63,170 |
|
Production |
$48,670 |
|
Transportation & Material Moving |
$46,880 |
Source: Dr. Amy K. Glasmeier and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Living Wage Calculator for Contra Costa County, CA." 2024. https://livingwage.mit.edu/.
Why Vote Yes on CA Prop 32?
Voting “yes” on a $18 minimum wage is a necessary start to ensure that all Californians can live a fulfilling and dignified life. Please plan on supporting this critical measure this November.