Let’s talk wages in Baltimore

The current minimum wage in Baltimore is $13.25 per hour for large employers and $12.80 per hour for small employers. This is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, but it is still lower than the living wage in Baltimore, which is estimated to be $15.15 per hour for a single adult and $21.24 per hour for a family of four.

The minimum wage in Baltimore has been increasing gradually in recent years. In 2019, the minimum wage was raised from $11.00 to $12.50 per hour. In 2022, the minimum wage was raised to $13.25 per hour for large employers and $12.80 per hour for small employers. The minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $15.00 per hour for all employers in 2025.

According to a 2022 study by the Economic Policy Institute, 63,000 workers in Baltimore earn less than the living wage. These workers are disproportionately women, people of color, and immigrants. They are also more likely to be working in low-wage industries, such as retail, food service, and hospitality.

The low minimum wage in Baltimore has a number of negative consequences. It makes it difficult for low-wage workers to afford basic necessities, such as housing, food, and transportation. It also contributes to poverty and inequality.

There are a number of things that can be done to raise the minimum wage in Baltimore. One option is to pass a city ordinance that would increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour. Another option is to pressure the state legislature to increase the state minimum wage to $15.00 per hour.