Atrium Health Raises Minimum Wage for 10,000 Workers

The investment totals $10.8 million, according to a company press release.

Atrium Health announced plans to raise the minimum wage for 10,000 workers in the Charlotte region Thursday afternoon.

The Charlotte-based health system will raise its minimum wage from $12.50 to $13.50 per hour, according to a company press release, an investment that is expected to total $10.8 million.

"I couldn't be more proud of the incredible team at Atrium Health who deliver on our mission of improving health, elevating hope and advancing healing – for all, whenever they are needed … twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year," Eugene Woods, CEO of Atrium, said in a statement. "This is why we are excited to recognize and invest in our teammates. Specifically, this increase will positively impact more than 10,000 of our colleagues – and as the largest employer in the region, it will also help enhance the economic growth and mobility of the communities we serve."

Additionally, the system plans to increase its minimum wage in the Charlotte region to $15 per hour by 2021.

This is far from the first move by Atrium to improve living conditions in the region.

The system has increased its minimum wage by 86% since 2012 and instituted incentive-based payments for the majority of its employees.

Additionally, last June, Atrium committed $10 million to affordable housing initiatives in the Charlotte area, seeking to counter the "lasting negative impact" of poor housing conditions on patient health.

The system also announced plans to incorporate health services into its housing investments through the Charlotte Housing Opportunity Investment Fund.

Jack O'Brien is the Content Team Lead and Finance Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.