Lowest hourly wage will be $8.95 in 2013
Brad Avakian, commissioner of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, announced Monday that the minimum wage rate will rise to $8.95 per hour in January.
The 15-cent increase tracks a 1.7 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index over the last 12 months. Avakian called the increase necessary to help Oregon families make ends meet in tough times.
“Oregonians recognize the rising cost of living facing every one of us, and our strong minimum wage law is essential insurance that Oregon workers and their families can maintain their purchasing power and continue to contribute to our local economies,” he said.
State law, enacted by Oregon voters in 2002, directs the Labor and Industries Commissioner to adjust the minimum wage for inflation every September, rounded to the nearest five cents.
The adjustment accounts for the average change in prices for day-to-day living expenses, such as food, shelter, medical care, transportation fares and other goods and services.
Oregon is one of 10 states that makes annual adjustments to its minimum wage based on inflation and the Consumer Price Index.
