2014 has been a year that has seen some milestone victories for people working on a minimum wage. It is a trend that has been going on for some time, but the reality is that the federal minimum wage, and the minimum wage offered by many states in the United States is insufficient to get a person to a livable wage.

During the State of the Union Address earlier this year, President Barack Obama announced a minimum wage increase to $10.10 for all federal workers. In June, Seattle’s Mayor announced an increase in their city’s minimum wage, one that will eventually reach $15 in a phased increase approach. Other cities around the country, including New York City are considering following this approach rather than waiting for federal or state minimum wage law to catch up.

These wage increases are part of a larger trend that will allow employees to be compensated fairly for the work they perform within their companies.

If you are curious about living wage estimates across cities and states in the U.S. check out MITs living wage calculator.