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Samaritan Health boosts minimum wage to 15 bucks

Samaritan Health in Watertown says it has adopted a $15 minimum wage that benefits about 1,300 current employees and all new hires. A spokesperson tells CNYBJ that Samaritan Health is still working to fill about 400 open positions. PHOTO CREDIT: SAMARITAN HEALTH

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Samaritan Health of Watertown has adopted a $15 minimum wage benefitting about 1,300 current employees and all new hires. The new standard raises current and starting wages 19 percent, the health-care provider announced on Aug. 18. Employees working the evening and night shift will receive additional compensation beyond that. Samaritan is actively […]

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WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Samaritan Health of Watertown has adopted a $15 minimum wage benefitting about 1,300 current employees and all new hires.

The new standard raises current and starting wages 19 percent, the health-care provider announced on Aug. 18. Employees working the evening and night shift will receive additional compensation beyond that.

Samaritan is actively hiring staff to join the health system, recruiting talent from throughout the region and beyond. The health system has had a 50 percent increase in open positions since the end of 2020, as staffing needs have grown rapidly.

As of Sept. 21, Samaritan Health had 400 job openings and employs a total of 2,300, Leslie DiStefano, director of communication and public relations at Samaritan Medical Center, tells CNYBJ in an email.

Samaritan Health implemented the wage increases immediately. Samaritan employees will still be eligible for merit-based wage increases throughout the year.

“Our workforce has shown tremendous resilience, going above and beyond to serve the health-care needs of our community,” Thomas Carman, president and CEO of Samaritan Health. “We have instituted a substantial increase in our minimum wage from $12.61 to $15.00, allowing Samaritan to deliver continued outstanding care by ensuring we retain our talent while attracting new staff.”

Samaritan noted that it also offers attractive benefits, including paid time off, a retirement plan, health insurance, tuition assistance, and on-the-job training. Interested candidates should visit samaritanhealth.com/careers.

Eric Reinhardt