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CoxHealth is investing $6 million to increase its minimum wage.
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CoxHealth is investing $6 million to increase its minimum wage.

CoxHealth raises minimum wage above state, federal levels

Posted online

Last edited 3:51 p.m., Jan. 21, 2019

The Springfield area’s second-largest employer is getting more competitive on wages.

CoxHealth announced a $6 million investment to raise the health care system’s starting minimum wage to $11 per hour. Effective Feb. 3, employees will earn at least $10.50 per hour, with wages increasing to $11 after working with CoxHealth for six months, according to a news release.

“Every single one of our employees is vital to fulfilling CoxHealth’s mission of serving this community,” CoxHealth President and CEO Steve Edwards said in the release. “We believe that if we invest in our current and future employees, it will be a benefit to everyone.”

The minimum wage increase affects nearly 4,500 current CoxHealth employees.

Mercy Springfield Communities spokeswoman Sonya Kullmann provided a statement on the health care system’s minimum wage.

“While the starting pay range for some positions at Mercy is lower than $11 per hour, the average salary for co-workers in those positions averages above $12 per hour,” the statement reads. “In addition, Mercy offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance as well paid time off starting day one.”

Missouri’s minimum wage rose to $8.60 on Jan. 1 after voters last year approved a staggered series of increases through 2023, when it will reach $12 per hour. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

CoxHealth employed 11,868 people within a 50-mile radius of Springfield as of July 9, 2018, ranking it second on Springfield Business Journal’s list of the largest employers last year. Mercy Springfield Communities was first with 12,723 local employees.

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