U.S. workers struggle to support themselves and their families in today’s economy. 40% would find it difficult to weather an unexpected expense of just $400. How do we create a different reality?
National Living Wage Certification!

Living Wage On-Up certifies employers who pay living wages, letting consumers and investors know which ones stand beside American workers. Backed by a strong methodology and engaged community. Built on the shared belief that hard work should ensure a decent living!

Our Mission:

Overcome the barriers and create the incentives to enable employers to pay living wages, affording a decent quality of life for working families

Why is living wage important?

  • The minimum wage does not provide a living wage for most American families. A typical family of four (two working adults, two children) needs to work nearly four full-time minimum-wage jobs (a 76-hour work week per working adult) to earn a living wage. Single-parent families need to work almost twice as hard as families with two working adults to earn the living wage. A single-mother with two children earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour needs to work 138 hours per week, nearly the equivalent of working 24 hours per day for 6 days, to earn a living wage.

    Carey Anne Nadeau and Dr. Amy K. Glasmeier, MIT Living Wage Calculator

  • Americans across all demographics are united in the belief that worker benefits and living wage are more important than any other social or environmental consideration for companies.

    JUST Capital’s 2018 Survey Results & Roadmap for Corporate America

  • Paying a living wage means people can get married, start families, buy homes and contribute more to our communities. It’s a part of the 'virtuous circle', ...where paying your employees a living wage pays off in a multitude of immeasurable ways that all add up to less customer churn, higher average revenue per customer, wider profit margins and an overall healthier bottom line.

    Hari Ravichandran, CEO of Endurance International Group

Problems Worth Solving

  • >40% of U.S. workers earn less than $15/hr, a level that is still lower than a living wage for families across most of the country, meaning working families can’t meet their basic needs
  • Lack of clarity on specific living wage figures limits collaboration and engagement
  • Employers choosing to pay a living wage lack the means to communicate it to consumers and others who wish to support them
  • Employers need assistance to build their own business case for paying living wages

Our Solution

  • Certify businesses that pay living wages, enabling a decent standard of living for workers and their families
  • Drive consensus around living wage calculations and approach
  • Incentivize, reward and educate through positive social media while aligning on due diligence with investors, corporate ranking systems, and civil society
  • Support employers on their journey through a collaborative community and practical tools

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