A living wage isn’t just a number. It’s the difference between getting by and getting ahead. The Tompkins County Workers’ Center just released the 2026 Tompkins County living wage: $25.08/hour. That’s what a single adult needs to cover rent, food, and basic necessities — without needing to rely on assistance. Nearly half of workers in Tompkins County earn less than that.
We created our first living wage study in 1994. That calculation became the benchmark the Workers’ Center built its certification program around. Today we’re proud to be certified — and to have helped start the conversation.