SAINT PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – Thursday marked the beginning of minimum wage standards for nursing home workers across Minnesota.
Previously, there were no industry-specific minimum wages for such employees in the North Star State. Resultantly, nursing home workers’ salaries fell under standard state labor laws.
“We began this work years ago because nursing home workers were among the lowest-paid in the health care industry,” said Jamie Gulley, president of SEIU Healthcare and chair of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board (NHWSB). “Under the new wage standards, about 76% of certified nursing assistants will get a raise. The average food service worker will see a $1.51 increase today and another $1.50 on Jan. 1, 2027.”
As of Thursday, the minimum wages for nursing home workers are:
nursing home worker (general): $19.00 an hour;certified nursing assistant: $22.50 an hour;trained medication aide: $23.50 an hour; andlicensed practical nurse: $27.00 an hour.
Nursing home workers will also receive a $1.50 increase that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
More information, including details about the minimum wage standards and holiday pay rules, is available on the NHWSB page.
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