Despite Minimum Wage Increases, Oregon’s Living Wage Gap Remains Sizeable

MIT data shows Portlanders need an $11 increase to afford costs of living.

On July 1, Oregon’s three minimum wage levels will increase by 35 cents, bringing the hourly minimum wage to $16.30 an hour in the Portland Metro Area, $15.05 in standard counties, and $14.05 in non-urban counties. 

While wage increases are always a gain for workers, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oregonians in the Portland Metro Area need to be earning at least $27.47 to support themselves on a full time job. This over $11 gap doesn’t account for children or other heightened expenses.

“Working class Oregonians won yearly minimum wage increases nearly ten years ago, and while there’s no denying that was a huge victory, we are facing heightened threats to fairness and dignity for working people,” Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor said.

According to Oregon Employment Department data from 2024, nearly 6% of Oregon workers earn minimum wage. Over 130,000 jobs will have wage increases next month. 

“Our victory from nearly a decade ago affects over 100,000 Oregon jobs, but the state’s data also highlights the gap,” Trainor said. “Continuing to raise wages for workers, especially lower-wage workers, is essential to building a fair and just economy in  Oregon where we can all thrive, not just survive.”

Workers earning the minimum wage should check their pay stubs following July 1 to ensure their wages are increased. Workers whose wages did not increase as expected should file a wage and hour complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries immediately.