Major California retailer raises minimum wage to $19.25

Photo byThe HD Post

CALIFORNIA -- Hobby Lobby raised its minimum wage to $19.25, effective October 1, across California and nationwide.

The decision reflects broader trends of wage increases, driven by rising inflation, as well as growing labor market demands.

Hobby Lobby has a nationwide minimum wage for employees

Notably, Hobby Lobby has taken a pioneering approach to employee wages.

According to the news release, Hobby Lobby was one of the first retailers to establish a nationwide minimum hourly wage, in 2009, above the federal minimum wage. Since then, the arts and crafts retailer has raised its minimum wage thirteen times over the last fifteen years.

The current minimum wage in California is $16.00 an hour. California fast-food workers make $20 an hour.

Among other major retailers, Apple, Trader Joe’s and Costco offer some of the highest wages.

Negative impact of inflation

Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green says a pillar of their success is taking care of their employees.

“Inflation has negatively impacted nearly all businesses, individuals, and families over the past several years. We have worked hard to hold our prices down, and are thankful for our continued success as a company,” said Green.

He goes on to say that as they head into the holiday season, Hobby Lobby is thrilled to share that success with thousands of their employees.

Current job openings

Hobby Lobby – founded in 1972, currently operates 1,035 retail stores nationwide stocked with over 60,000 arts, crafts, hobbies, home accent, seasonal, and custom framing products.

For more information on seasonal and full-time job openings visit https://careers.hobbylobby.com/current-openings/retail-hourly

RELATED: Proposition 32 will allow voters to decide on $18 minimum wage for all California workers