[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today shadowed home care worker Felicia Johnson in Minneapolis to highlight increased wages for health care workers. On January 1, home care workers received a 25 percent pay increase as a result of legislation Governor Walz signed in 2023.

“Minnesota’s home care workers dedicate themselves to caring for others – not for the paycheck, but in service of improving the quality of life of those who need it most,” said Governor Walz. “This wage increase is a much-needed investment to ensure these vital workers earn a living wage. It’s a historic win for the thousands of home care workers who make up a critical piece of our health care workforce.”

In 2023, Governor Walz signed legislation establishing the SEIU patient care assistant contract which has increased wages and supports for thousands of health care workers. The contract covers over 20,000 care workers across the state. The contract includes a 25 percent wage increase to $19 per hour as of Jan. 1, 2024. Workers will receive an additional increase to $20 per hour (a 31 percent increase over last year’s wage floor) in 2025.

The contract includes other wins for workers, including the establishment of a wage scale rewarding home care workers for their years of experience, bringing long-time caregivers up to as much as $22.50 per hour (a 48 percent increase over last year’s wage floor) in 2025.