Montgomery County Minimum Wage Increased July 1

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The minimum wage in Montgomery County increased on July 1 to keep pace with local inflation as required by county law.

The minimum wage rate for large employers (with 51 or more employees) rose to $17.15 per hour, while the minimum wage rate for mid-sized employers (with 11-50 employees) increased to $15.50 per hour, a county news release said.

A change in state law boosted the rate for small employers (10 or fewer employees) to $15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2024. This $15 wage rate for small businesses will remain in effect for the next 12 months.

The new rates for large and mid-sized businesses are based on the change in the consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers in the Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria area for the previous year, which was 2.8 percent.

The county wage law, sponsored by then County Councilmember (and now County Executive) Marc Elrich, increased the minimum wage to $15 in phases for different-sized businesses and then indexed it to inflation after it reached $15.

“I sponsored this legislation in 2017 because I firmly believe that increasing the minimum wage for low-wage workers is one of the most important actions we can take as a government,” Elrich said in a statement. “Ensuring that individuals and families can afford rent, food, health care and transportation is essential. No one working full-time should struggle to put a roof over their head or food on their table.”

More information about the minimum wage is available on the county’s website.