News

Contact: Lauren Brendel, M.S.

Bozeman Health, Gallatin County’s largest private employer, is pleased to share that effective January 1, 2020, its minimum wage will increase to $15 an hour. Bozeman Health is the first health system in Montana to move to $15, and believes it is one of the first health systems in the country to implement that change.

“Investing in our employees is one of the best things we can do to care for our community and our patients,” said John Hill, Bozeman Health president, and CEO. “We recognize that the cost of living in Bozeman has escalated in the past few years and we know that this increase will help a number of employees whose work is critically important to providing quality and care excellence.”

The minimum wage increase affects 317 current employees, primarily in nutrition and environmental services. Additionally, 778 employees in medical and business support roles will receive an incremental increase due to their current wage falling between $15 and $20 an hour. As a non-profit organization that reinvests any revenue back into programs, projects, and people, Bozeman Health utilizes revenue funds to make these investments in our employees possible. No costs are passed on to healthcare consumers or patients.

“Throughout the past three years, we’ve been on a journey to see how we can better care for our employees,” stated Edie Willey, Bozeman Health chief people officer. “Overwhelmingly, employees shared that we needed a higher minimum wage and the feedback we’ve heard so far from our employees is gratitude for the recognition of that need. We’re proud to be able to care for our employees in this way, and hopefully help lead the way for health systems throughout Montana and the country.”