In March 2008, JE launched our Living Wage Certification Program, which identifies and promotes local employers that pay a Living Wage. Although the program originated in Buncombe and Transylvania, we now have employers in several counties in WNC. Since 2008, we have Certified hundreds of local employers.
Our program is an innovative approach to addressing the living wage issue modeled after a program initiated by the Tompkins County Workers’ Center in Ithaca, NY. Our program is currently the largest of its kind in the country and we worked with the Tompkins County Workers’ Center and Interfaith Worker Justice to provide a model for other communities to use.
The Certification Program aims to reward existing Living Wage Certified Employers in our community, to provide employers with tools and incentives to increase workers’ wages up to a living wage, to connect consumers to employers that provide a living wage, and to promote a just and sustainable local economy. It is a great way for a local employer to set themselves apart in our community, to promote the fact that they acknowledge the value of their employees and to be rewarded for it by local consumers who understand the value of a living wage. Click here to learn more About Living Wage
The Living Wage Rate:
The 2026 Living Wage Rate for employers in Buncombe County is $24.10/hr, and the Pledged Living Wage Rate is $20/hr with a commitment to raise wages 3% plus inflation until the living wage for that year is met.
For employers in WNC counties excluding Buncombe, the 2026 ‘Rural’ Living Wage Rate is $17.55/hr.
2026 Rates and Certification Types
For any questions about certification or eligibility, please contact Sam Stites at [email protected].
Buncombe Employers:
Leading Living Wage Certification—$24.10/hr
Pledged Living Wage Certification—$20.00/hr for newly Pledged Employers
With a Pledge to Increase Wages 3% + Inflation in 2027
WNC Employers Excluding Buncombe:
Living Wage Certification—$17.55/hr
Determining Eligibility
The basic criteria for becoming living wage certified is that an employer pays at least the current living wage rate to all full and part time employees. There are different criteria for different employee categories which is explained below, and changes to these criteria beginning in 2026 are explained in further detail on our blog.
1099 Contractors
Because 1099 contractors are responsible for the entirety of the 15.3% FICA tax, their take home pay, and ability to meet the cost of living, is less than a W2 employee who is paid the same wage and whose employer covers half of the FICA tax. As such, our criteria requires that 1099 contractors have wages supplemented an additional 7.65% from the certification rate to offset the tax. This only applies to contractors who are not employees of a different company contracted who decides their wages.
Tipped Workers
Just Economics allows employers who pay wages that are below a living wage to become certified if those workers are tipped and tips are guaranteed to bring the total hourly earning to at least the living wage amount. This is in recognition of the reality that North Carolina is one of only 15 states that allows tipped workers to be paid a subminimum wage of $2.13/hr with a guarantee only up to the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 which has not risen since 2009. Employers of tipped workers are eligible to be Living Wage Certfified provided workers are guaranteed a minimum of the certification rate whether achieved using tips, periodic supplements, or base wage increases, at an interval of 1 pay period or 31 days, whichever is shorter.
Exempt Employee Categories
- Interns partaking in an internship that is clearly advertised as such at the time of hiring, is for a short or temporary duration not to exceed 1 year, and includes an educational component that is endorsed by an accredited institution or established program within the organization.
- Apprentices
- New Hires in Training during the first 90 days after the date of employment, at which point they should be brought to the minimum of the certification rate.
Becoming Certified
Becoming certified is a fairly quick process. Before you apply, be sure to decide which certification type and corresponding rate you are applying and checking to the best of your ability that you are eligible. Have a question about eligibility? Feel free to call our office, email [email protected], or fill out an application and explain your case. To apply, follow the ‘Get Certified’ button at the top and bottom of this page, and complete the questions. Once you have submitted an application, someone from Just Economics will reach out to confirm your submission and ask any follow-up questions, usually within a week, and recommend your for certification to go to our Board of Directors for final approval. After approval, we send all new and recertifying employers a packet with paper materials including an employee break room poster and Living Wage certificate and sticker for public display.
Fees for Certification
Fees are required for Buncombe county for-profit employers, and used to support the material components of the programs administration, web-hosting, recruitment materials and events. The fee schedule is as follows:
Non-profits:
No fee required.
Employers outside of Buncombe:
No fee required.
For-Profits:
0-10 employees = $50
11-25 employees = $100
26-50 employees = $200
51+ employees = $250
Benefits of Certification
- “Living Wage Certified” certificate and window sticker for display at your place of business.
- Access to Just Economics Living Wage Job Board
- Special profile of your business on the Just Economics website in our Certified Employer Directory.
- Free promotion of your business through the Just Economics mailing list, Facebook Followers and our printed lists.
- Participation in press conferences and JE events aimed at promoting the Living Wage Employer Certification Program and the employers that meet our criteria.
- Being part of a growing network of local employers dedicated to building a more sustainable economy.
- Free Participation in our Employer Networking Events and Business Education Programs.