Living wage rates
Current rates for 2024
The Living Wage Ordinance (LWO) is a locally adopted ordinance, established in 2002, which requires County contractors and subcontractors to provide a minimum wage to their employees higher than the state-minimum wage, while doing work for the County of Marin. The LWO rate also applies to County employees.
Specifically, the Ordinance applies when a contractor or subcontractor has in excess of $25,000 in cumulative annual business with the County. The Living Wage Ordinance does not apply to private employers while not doing business with the County of Marin. Additionally, under the LWO, an employee is required to be compensated at the LWO wage rate by their private employer only during hours worked for the County of Marin (e.g. for services provided under a contract with the County). The LWO does not require that private employers pay the County's LWO wage rate for hours worked not for County business.
The LWO (Chapter 2.50 of the Marin County Code) requires that the County Administrator (CAO) provide an annual report to the Board of Supervisors on the effect of the LWO, if any. At that time the County Administrator's Office also makes a recommendation regarding a wage rate adjustment for the ensuing calendar year based on the prior year change in the San Francisco Bay Area Consumer Price Index (CPI), as published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
On November 7, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved an increase in the Living Wage Rate to $18.00 per hour. Effective January 1, 2024, this policy requires County contractors and subcontractors to provide the following to their employees: (1) wages of at least $18.00 per hour if no health benefits are provided; or (2) the payment of at least $16.50 per hour with health benefits. If you believe you qualify to receive the Living Wage Rate under the County's ordinance, however are being paid less, you may file a complaint by emailing Talia Smith.
Previous rates
The new rate is effective on January 1 each year.
| Effective date | County LWO rate (without benefits) |
State min. wage |
| January 1, 2024 | $18.00 | $16.00 |
| January 1, 2023 | $16.80 | $15.50 |
| January 1, 2022 | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| January 1, 2021 | $15.40 | $14.00 |
| January 1, 2020 | $15.25 | $13.00 |
| January 1, 2019 | $14.80 | $12.00 |
| January 1, 2018 | $14.20 | $11.00 |
| January 1, 2017 | $13.80 | $10.50 |
How to make a complaint
If you think you are working for a business that is violating the living wage ordinance, you can make a complaint by email, by phone, or in-person.
- Email Talia Smith.
- Call (415) 473-6358
- Visit us at 3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 325
About the living wage ordinance
This is a local law and was first established in 2002. Every year the County Administrator’s office provides a report to the Board of Supervisors about the law’s effectiveness and recommended rate for the next year. Learn more about the living wage ordinance by reading Chapter 2.50 of the Marin County Code.