Currently as of January 1, 2022, the minimum wage in California was increased to $15.00 an hour for employers with twenty-six or more employees and $14.00 an hour for employees with twenty-five employees or less. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, in 2020, the average cost of living in California was $46,636, however a single individual working full time at a rate of $15.00 per hour will have an annual income of $31,200. That is nearly a deficit income of over $15,000 per year. Although the minimum wage has increased to $15.00 over the years, it is not a livable wage for California residents as cost of living in the state has also increased. The cost of gas, food, and rent continues to gradually increase, making it difficult for individuals who work minimum wage jobs to meet their basic needs. Additional, low wage workers and their families are at risk for increased physical and psychological conditions. 

Raising California's minimum wage to $18.00 will help individuals who work minimum wage jobs pull out of poverty and provide their families with adequate housing, food and healthcare. All it takes is a $3.00 increase to make a difference from the state minimum wage to a more realistic living wage in California. Increases in minimum wage will increase job satisfaction, improvement in public health, adequate health insurance, homes in safe neighborhoods, and an overall increase in general overall health. Children will also benefit from an increase of minimum wage as they grow up healthier and show improvement in overall school performance, mental and emotional health. Thus, increasing the minimum wage to $18.00 an hour can make a difference for individuals, families and state alike. Let us join together and advocate for a better living wage in California!