Oregon Families Need to Earn Over Double Minimum Wage, Despite July Increase

MIT data shows Oregon families need an $18 increase to afford costs of living.

On July 1, Oregon’s three minimum wage levels will increase by 50 cents, bringing the hourly minimum wage to $16.80 an hour in the Portland Metro Area, $15.55 in standard counties, and $14.55 in non-urban counties. 

According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a living wage for a dual income Oregon family with two children is  at least $33.77 an hour to support their family

“Wage increases are always a gain for workers, however this over $18 gap between the minimum wage and the estimated living wage for Oregon families shows that Oregonians need to be making substantially more to survive in our economy,” Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor said. “Oregon’s unions are fighting for a just economy that works for everyone by increasing wages, lowering the cost of living, and ensuring working people can prosper.”

According to Oregon Employment Department data from 2025, approximately 4% of Oregon workers earn minimum wage. About 90,000 Oregon workers will see an increase in their wages starting today.

“Oregon’s unions fought for and won minimum wage increases over a decade ago, but we promise each and every one of those 90,000 workers in minimum wage jobs that we are not done fighting,” Trainor said. “Continuing to raise wages and standards 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.”

Over one year into President Trump’s second term, working people’s lives are more expensive, despite his promise to make life more affordable for working families. Meanwhile, Oregon unions

“Trump’s administration is funnelling money to CEOs and big corporations and leaving working people stuck with the bill,” Oregon Labor Federation Secretary-Treasurer Sarina Roher said. “We refuse to pay the cost for his greed and mistakes. Oregon’s unions will continue to fight for the dignity of every working Oregonian.”

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