Apply for Living Wage Certification

The living wage is a regional calculation that looks at the amount that someone working full year, full time, need to earn to meet their expenses. 

Step 1: Determine the living wage in your region.

You can see a map of the BC communities that have calculated a living wage rate.  If you don’t see your community listed on the map or if you have any questions email us at [email protected]. We can help!

To calculate the living wage rate for each employer we take into account their employees’ total compensation package (wage + benefits). If employees receive non-mandatory benefits like extended health benefits, the living wage rate is reduced to take this into account. We have developed a calculator to work out the value of your benefits.

Step 2: Make a plan

A clear plan to bring your staff up to the Living Wage essential. Our Guide to Becoming a Living Wage Employer provides information on the criteria for certification and other information employers need to know.

Step 3: Apply for Certification

• If you are a small employer with under 50 staff, and based in one Living Wage region you can fill out this application form
• If you are a large employer (50 or more staff and/or based in more than one region), you will need to draft an implementation plan. Refer to the Employers Guide for more information.

Please contact us to answer any questions you might have. All conversations are confidential, and we won’t rush you through the process.

Once you have submitted your living wage application form or implementation plan, it will be reviewed by a committee of employers. This committee will approve your plan or ask for more information to strengthen your application. This process is to help you have as strong an implementation plan as possible.

To help recover the costs required to administer the program, we have introduced certification and re-certification fees for Living Wage Employers. Read our blog post to find out more about this decision. 

There will also be an additional charge for employers wanting to receive a Living Wage plaque. 

The plaques are made by Eclipse Awards, a Living Wage Employer based in Vancouver. 

Ready to apply?

Submit your initial application information using this form.