Minimum Wage Increases In Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The minimum wage increased in Montgomery County beginning July 1. The size of the increase is determined by the number of workers a business employs.

The new law states that County businesses with 51 or more employees must pay workers $12.25 per hour. Employers with 50 or fewer workers will be required to pay employees $12 hourly.

County Executive Ike Leggett signed Bill 28-17 (Human Rights and Civil Liberties – County Minimum Wage) on November 17, 2017.

The following changes will take place:

• On July 1, 2018: Large employers will pay employees $12.25; mid-sized and small employers will pay employees $12.
• July 1, 2019: Large employers will pay employees $13; mid-sized and small employers will pay employees $12.50.
• July 1, 2020: Large employers will pay employees $14; mid-sized employers will pay employees $13.25 and small employers will pay employees $13.
• July 1, 2021: Large employers will pay employees $15; mid-sized employers will pay employees $14 and small employers will pay employees $13.50.
• July 1, 2022: Large employers will pay employees $15 plus CPI-W; mid-sized employers will pay employees $14.50 and small employers will pay employees $14.

"It is essential for all employers to ensure workers are paid the legal minimum wage,” said Montgomery County Office of Human Rights Director James Stowe. “We are pleased to work with chambers of commerce, Montgomery County Business Portal and the Maryland Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) to inform and educate area employers to ensure full compliance."

The minimum wage does not apply to employees younger than the age of 19, who work fewer than 20 hours per week. However, an employer may pay a wage equal to 85 percent to employees under the age of 20 years for the first six months that the employee is employed.

More information about Bill 28-17 and its amendments can be found at here.

More information on the incremental increase here.

(Photo via Shutterstock)