Sixteen dollars an hour is about right for a living wage today in our country unless you have something going on the side.
Is that true in both Manhattan New York and Lacombe Missisippi?
I think that your employer should pay you what you are worth. Unfortunately, there are minimum wage laws.
You don't say on your profile page where you are located - but it is obviously in a densely populated urban area. My husband makes a good deal less than $16 an hour, yet we are a comfortable family of 3, with a mortgage and car payment, we eat well, get to go out, take a vacation, and do lots of things on only his income.
Your idea of a "living wage" is purely subjective.
LOL!!!!!
Man, you are absolutely clueless about economic reality.