Nashville Living Wage

About Nashville Living Wage

The Nashville Living Wage Program certifies businesses that pay a living wage, so consumers know exactly who is investing in Nashville’s working families.

We also help our certified Living Wage business partners find talent by recruiting for open roles and connect with customers by highlighting their brand.

Are you ready to certify your business?

Why certify?

Certification Seal

Digital/physical badge for your storefront and platforms

Recruitment Help

SUN actively sources talent for your open roles

Promotion

Media features, social spotlights, and community/B2B events

What is a Living Wage?

The minimum needed to cover basic necessities without assistance. 2027-2029 NLW rate: $20.10/hr w/ benefits, $22.10/hr without (2024 data), based on the United Way ALICE Report’s Davidson County survival budget.

Why It pays off

Retention: Purpose-driven employees retain 40% better; replacing a worker costs 20–30% of salary vs. under 10% to retrain
Performance: Engaged teams generate 2.5x more revenue than low-engagement competitors
Loyalty: 87% of consumers buy based on a company’s social advocacy
Local economy: Wages paid to local workers get spent back in the local economy — keeping wealth in Nashville instead of extracted by outside corporations

(Sources: JFF Horizons, Brookings Metro)

Want more info?

Download the info sheet for details.