Montgomery County’s minimum wage rates are scheduled to increase next month.
Effective July 1, the minimum wage for large employers with 51 or more employees will increase by 45 cents, bringing the hourly rate to $17.15. For mid-sized employers with 11-50 employees, the rate will increase by 50 cents to $15.50 per hour.
Following Maryland state law, small employers with ten or fewer employees will maintain the $15 per hour rate that took effect on January 1, 2024.
Section 27-68 of the County Code, which requires the county to adjust minimum wage rates to reflect local inflation, was sponsored by then-County Council member and current County Executive Marc Elrich and was enacted in 2017.
“Increasing the minimum wage is crucial for addressing income inequality and ensuring that all workers can earn a sustaining wage,” Elrich said in March. “A higher minimum wage not only provides immediate relief to low-wage workers struggling to make ends meet but also stimulates economic growth by putting more money into the hands of those who are most likely to spend it locally. A minimum wage law indexed to inflation fosters a more equitable society where hard work is properly rewarded and reduces the need for government assistance programs. By raising the minimum wage, we can create a fairer system where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
The new wage rates, which take effect on the same day as Metro’s 12.5 percent fare hike, will allow employees of large and mid-sized companies to earn approximately $20 more for every 40 hours worked, translating to $1,000 in additional annual earnings.
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