Montgomery County Minimum Wage to Increase by 50 Cents on July 1 for Large, Mid-Size and Small Employers

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 28, 2025

The Montgomery County minimum wage will increase on July 1 to reflect the region’s inflation rate, as required by County law. For large employers (with 51 or more employees), the minimum wage will rise by 50 cents to $17.65 per hour. For mid-size employers (with 11-50 employees), the minimum wage will increase by 50 cents to $16 per hour; and for small employers (10 or fewer employees), the rate will go up by 50 cents to $15.50 per hour.

These adjustments are based on a 2.9 percent increase in the consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers in the Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria area in 2024, slightly higher than the 2.8 percent increase in 2023. The increase ensures the local minimum wage keeps pace with inflation.

Enacted in 2017 through legislation sponsored by then-County Council member and current County Executive Marc Elrich, Section 27-68 of the County Code mandates that the minimum wage rate be recalculated each March 1 based on the change in the regional consumer price index from the prior calendar year.

“Raising the minimum wage to account for inflation is an important step in ensuring that all Montgomery County workers can earn a fair wage that supports their well-being,” said County Executive Elrich. “As the cost of living continues to rise, this increase helps workers and families keep pace while also benefitting local businesses by putting more money back into our community. By indexing the minimum wage to inflation, we are providing a long-term solution that adjusts to economic conditions, making sure that working people are rewarded fairly for their contributions and that our local economy stays strong and resilient.”

The change in the minimum wage rate will help employees of covered large, mid-size and small employers earn approximately $20 more for each 40 hours worked. Over the course of a full year, this amounts to $1,040 in additional earnings.

More information about the County’s minimum wage increase will be available later this year.

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Media Contact: Mary Anderson, [email protected] or 301-529-7669

 

Release ID: 25-090
Media Contact: Mary Anderson 301-529-7669
Categories: Business, Consumer