Arkansas Children’s raises minimum pay to $15 an hour 

Little Rock-based pediatric healthcare organization Arkansas Children’s is raising its minimum pay to $15 an hour. This comes after the 2019 pay bump from $10.10 to $14 per hour approved by the hospital system’s board of directors.

Arkansas Children’s said the pay increase applies to any employee across the system including those contracted through foodservice and environmental services. The health care system said more than 500 people will see the higher pay reflected in their next paychecks.

“One way we continue investing in our people is by ensuring wages reflect the true costs of living so that our employees can earn what they need to support themselves and their families,” Crystal Kohanke, chief people officer, said in a statement posted Wednesday (Sept. 29).

Arkansas Children’s said it chooses to pay a living wage, which is different from the minimum wage set by the local, state and federal governments. The minimum wage in Arkansas is $11 per hour. The health provider said a living wage represents the hourly amount a worker needs to afford basic living expenses and reflects the local living standards and needs for workers and their families.

“We believe a living wage is essential. At Arkansas Children’s, we want every team member to feel fully supported and fully prepared to help care for sick and injured children,” said Arkansas Children’s President and CEO Marcy Doderer, “This latest living wage enhancement is part of our ongoing commitment to the team.”