Duke University is planning to raise its minimum wage for eligible employees and full-time contract workers to $15 an hour by July 2019. That's more than twice the federal and state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
The university will first raise its minimum wage from $13 to $14 per hour next July and another dollar per hour a year later.
In a statement, Duke President Vincent E. Price said the university has a longstanding commitment to provide a total compensation package that recognizes and rewards the staff who make this institution a national leader.
“This starts with pay, which is why we are moving forward with these increases, but it also includes benefits such as health insurance, retirement, and paid time away,” Price said.
The new rates will apply to all regular University and Health System staff who work at least 20 hours week and 36 weeks per year.
Duke University and Health System is the single-largest employer in Durham County.