Sonoma County’s Living Wage increases to $18.10 an hour

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday boosted the county’s Living Wage to $18.10 an hour, up from $17.65 an hour, to prevent inflation from eroding the incomes of low-wage workers covered by the ordinance.

The 2.8 percent increase matches the inflation rate measured in October by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers.

The county’s Living Wage ordinance sets a minimum wage for workers employed directly by the county government and workers at certain private companies and nonprofits that contract with the County of Sonoma. The wage increase will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, for new contracts and transactions. Employers with existing contracts and transactions must meet the new wage standard by July 1, 2024.

“The Board of Supervisors made a commitment to ensure the Living Wage keeps pace with inflation,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Today’s increase keeps a promise to low-wage workers that they will not be forgotten. We expect to review the Living Wage again in 2024 to make sure these workers are not falling behind.”  

The Board of Supervisors adopted the Living Wage ordinance in 2016 to promote a viable wage for local residents whose jobs are tied to county contracts. It is unrelated to the state minimum wage, which increases to $16 an hour on Jan. 1, 2024.

The Board of Supervisors is considering a series of amendments to the Living Wage ordinance. It is expected to discuss these potential changes at its March 26, 2024 meeting.

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Media Contact:
Ted Appel, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-3040
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403