The Montgomery County Commissioners announced today that an increase to the minimum wage for county employees has been approved.

Previously $16.51 per hour, salaries for all county jobs will now begin at $20.52 per hour, which is the highest minimum starting wage among local governments in Pennsylvania, according to a statement released this afternoon.

The decision will impact 129 employees in roles such as court support staff, administrative assistants, and clerks, officials said.

“Increasing the minimum wage that the County offers is not only the right thing to do for our employees—it’s also the right thing to do for our residents,” said Jamila H. Winder, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “This is another way that we’re showing our commitment to making Montgomery County a place where talented individuals want to build their careers. These actions reflect our values: we’re here to serve.”  

“We can’t solve housing insecurity without adequate wages. We can’t solve hunger without adequate wages. We can’t reduce health disparities without adequate wages,” Representative Napoleon Nelson said. “I’m happy that Montgomery County is dedicated to addressing these persistent quality-of-life challenges with both expanded services AND the proper returns of a hard day’s work.” 

The increase was made possible in part by a review led by the county’s Office of Innovation, Strategy, and Performance and the Department of Finance, which identified “over $2.5 million in savings through measures such as eliminating unnecessary vacancies, consolidating digital resources, streamlining printing costs, and more cost reduction measures”, according to a statement.

Photos: Montco