Arkansas Children's, which includes Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock and Arkansas Children's Northwest in Springdale, is increasing its lowest wage earners from $10.10 an hour to $14 an hour, the system confirmed.
The increase has been approved by board members and is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.
"We believe this investment will result in team members who are better equipped to help us care for sick and hurt children," Arkansas Children's President and CEO Marcy Doderer told KARK. "To take care of our most vulnerable populations, our board of directors saw it as fundamental to take care of our team by offering this living wage. We want our employees to feel like their pay check can take care of them and their families."
The system said the change will also help it stay competitive with other local employers amid wage shifts.
Arkansas Children's employs 4,300 people at its two hospitals and clinics in Jonesboro, Ark., and Southwest Little Rock.