The minimum wage will increase in Montgomery County on Thursday, July 1, with the minimum wage going to $15 an hour for businesses with 51 or more employees.
Then-County Council member, and now County Executive, Marc Elrich was the lead sponsor of Bill 28-17 that was signed into law on Nov. 17, 2017, and raises the minimum wage incrementally, each July 1, until it reaches $15 per hour in most circumstances in 2022.
The number of workers employed by the business determines the amount of annual increases.
The County’s minimum wage will rise to $15 for employers with 51 or more employees this year. It will increase to $14 for businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Employers with 10 or fewer employees will be required to pay $13.50 hourly starting this year.
“I was proud to champion the increase in minimum wage when I was a County Councilmember and pleased to see that it has finally reached $15 per hour for large employers,” said County Executive Elrich. “Montgomery County has been at the forefront of minimum wage policies and this increase will not just help those earning minimum wages, but will also increase wages for all hourly workers throughout the County. People who work deserve to earn a decent wage. This will help them earn enough to put a roof over their heads, feed their families and not have to choose between putting food on the table and medical visits. A decent wage is the path to more opportunity and improved equity.”
|
Effective date |
Large employer |
Mid-sized employer |
Small Employer |
|
July 1, 2021 |
$15 |
$14 |
$13.50 |
|
July 1, 2022 |
$15 + CPI-W |
$14.50 |
$14 |
|
July 1, 2023 |
Increased annually by CPI-W |
$15 |
$14.50 |
An employer who provides "home health services" or "home or community-based services" and receives at least 75 percent of gross revenues through State and Federal Medicaid programs can apply to the County Office of Human Rights for designation as an eligible services provider subject to an adjusted implementation schedule. Most employees must be paid at least the Montgomery County minimum wage rate. Employees age 18 and under, working under 20 hours per week, are exempt from this rate. Employees under 18 years must earn at least 85 percent of the State minimum wage rate.
More information about the County’s minimum wage increase is available on this informational notice.