More than a fifth of people in the north and north-east are earning less than the living wage.
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has revealed a total of 81,000 people across the region are not being paid the recommended £7.85 an hour.
Opposition politicians have rounded on the figures, accusing the UK Government of failing to tackle poverty.
The revelation came after a think-tank suggested that Scottish families will be £500 a year worse off by 2020 as a result of changes in tax credits.
But North East MSP Alex Johnstone said the figures showed the huge number of people who would benefit from George Osborne’s living wage commitment in the north and north-east.
SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said: “Despite the Chancellor’s living wage con-trick, 800,000 people will lose out because of his callous social security cuts – and those who will benefit are concentrated among the top 40% of earners.
“This was not a budget for tackling poverty and raising income – it was a budget for boosting inequality.”
A total of just over 21.2% of the workforce in the north and north-east of Scotland was not paid the living wage last year, according to the ONS.
The Highlands has the highest percentage of people in the two areas earning less than the living wage, with 23.3% of workers not earning £7.85 an hour.
Aberdeen has the lowest percentage in the region – 17% – but the highest in real terms, with an estimated 25,000 people earning less than the recommended amount.
Aberdeenshire reported 17,000 not earning the living wage, the equivalent of 21.4% of the workforce, while 22.4% of workers in Argyll and Bute earned less than the recommended amount.
Mr Johnstone said: “It’s essential we move our economy to a higher wage, lower tax one.
“Setting a living wage for all is precisely the way to do this, and I’m glad so many people across the north-east will benefit in this way.
“The UK Government is repeatedly criticised by political opponents for its welfare policies, but the fact is these are working for the north of Scotland, and that will continue to prove to be the case in years to come as well.”