The Orange County Living Wage was created in 2015 as a means to battle the cruel 7.25 federal minimum wage. In order to qualify for the OCLW Certificate, employers must pay the 2023 living wage of $16.60 per hour, or $15.10 per hour if the employer pays at least half the cost of health insurance. This number is by no means random. Using a formula based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standard, employers can ensure that their employees are using no more than 30% of their income on housing. As of today, there are 266 certified living wage employers in Orange County!