Hobby Lobby is raising its minimum full-time hourly wage to $17 effective Oct. 1, company officials announced Monday.
According to a news release, the Oklahoma City-based company was one of the first retailers to establish a nationwide minimum hourly wage well above the federal minimum wage in 2009. Hobby Lobby has since raised its minimum wages 10 times in the last 11 years.
In 2014, Hobby Lobby raised its full-time minimum wage to $15 per hour.
“We have always worked hard to be a retail leader when it comes to taking care of our people,” David Green, Hobby Lobby founder and CEO, said in a news release. “From closing our stores on Sundays and at 8 p.m. the rest of the week, to providing some of the best pay and benefits in the retail industry, we are thankful that we are able to share our success with our valued employees and provide time for rest, family and worship. These investments allow Hobby Lobby to attract and retain a great group of associates who in turn help provide the wonderfully unique shopping experience enjoyed by our many loyal customers.
“Because this year has presented so many challenges to our employees, we are very happy that we are able to provide pay increases to thousands of our associates before the Christmas season.”