The Florida legislature recently passed a bill that will give state employees their first significant pay raise in years. This is welcome news for the over 100000 people employed by the state many of whom have gone without meaningful salary increases despite rising inflation.
The Details of the Pay Raise Bill
The pay raise bill passed as part of the state’s 2024-2025 budget includes the following provisions
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A 5% across-the-board pay increase for all state workers This applies to everyone from entry-level staff to senior managers,
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Additional targeted raises for certain agencies and roles:
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Correctional officers will see their starting salary increase to $45,760 ($22/hour). This is aimed at improving recruitment and retention within the state prison system.
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Other agencies like the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will get funds to address compression and retention issues through raises.
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A boost in starting pay to $45,760 ($22/hour) for correctional officers in particular. Corrections has long suffered from staffing shortages.
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Allowing agencies the discretion to develop plans for further raises targeting compression, recruitment, and retention issues.
This will be the first broad-based pay increase for state workers since 2017. The across-the-board 5% raise is estimated to cost $353 million, with another $109 million budgeted for targeted increases and agency plans.
Why This Raise is Overdue
The pay raise bill aims to make up for years of stagnant wages amidst rising living costs. Some key reasons it was time to boost state employee pay:
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Playing catch-up with inflation – Cumulative price inflation since the last raise in 2017 is estimated at over 20%. State workers’ pay has fallen behind the cost of living.
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Competition from private sector – Many state roles including IT, accounting, engineers and others could earn much higher salaries in the private sector. Better pay makes it easier to attract and retain talent.
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Pressure from unions – Groups like the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union have lobbied heavily for better compensation. The pay raise bill was introduced after pressure from unions.
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Staffing and morale issues – Agencies like the Dept. of Corrections have had staffing shortages and low morale. Higher pay aims to address recruitment, retention and motivation.
Widespread Support for the Bill
The pay raise bill received broad, bipartisan support across the legislature. Lawmakers acknowledged the need to invest in state workers who had shouldered larger workloads and rising healthcare costs without meaningful raises.
Some voices supporting the pay increase legislation:
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Senate President Kathleen Passidomo: “This is long overdue. Our state workforce is the backbone of Florida government.”
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House Speaker Paul Renner: “Our public servants have more than earned this raise. This is an investment in Florida’s future.”
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Governor Ron DeSantis: “I’m pleased to fulfill my commitment to support our state employees.”
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State employees union: “This bill brings pay raises that are badly needed and deserved.”
Key Benefits of the Pay Raise
Increasing pay for state employees will have wide-ranging benefits, including:
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Recruiting and retaining talent – Higher pay will help attract strong candidates to state jobs and retain high performers.
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Addressing staff shortages – Agencies like Corrections should find it easier to fill open positions.
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Improving morale – After years without raises, employees will feel more valued.
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Enhancing services – Better talent and staffing will lead to improved services for Florida citizens.
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Supporting local economies – The $450+ million devoted to raises will flow into communities across the state.
Looking Ahead
While this bill marks a major improvement, work still remains to bring state employee compensation in line with the private sector. Areas to address going forward:
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Continuing periodic raises to keep pace with inflation. Avoiding huge gaps between pay adjustments.
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Gathering competitive wage data to inform targeted raises in underpaid roles.
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Considering bonuses, loan repayment and other incentives along with base raises.
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Improving state benefits like paid parental leave to enhance the overall package.
For now, Florida’s state employees are surely breathing a sigh of relief. The legislature’s action proves their services are valued. This pay raise represents a crucial step toward making compensation more fair and competitive.
Who was eligible for the general increase?
Permanent (not temporary) employees were eligible.
Please note that per Personnel Rule 3, an Appointing Authority could defer or deny the granting of the increase for new hires, promotions, pay adjustments, demotions, and voluntary demotions within 90 days of a general increase and for disciplinary action within a 12-month period which has not become inactive.
What if the increases brought the pay rate above the pay grade maximum?
Employees for whom a pay rate increase would exceed the maximum for their associated pay grade received an increase that brought their pay rate to the new maximum. The remainder of the adjustment was awarded in a single lump sum payment.
Florida Gov. approves pay raise bill for state workers
FAQ
Are Florida state employees getting a raise in 2024?
The minimum increase will be $1,000. The increase is calculated from an employee’s base rate of pay as of June 30, 2024. A message from Human Resources to Deans, Directors, and Department Heads will follow, outlining eligibility criteria.
Is the state of Florida pay increase in July 2024?
Section 5: Loyalty and Longevity Pay Plan: Starting July 1, 2024, employees who have been with the company for at least 5 years will get a $3,000 raise in their base pay. You have to be a member in good standing, get at least a 3 on your performance review, and complete all of your training.
What is the pay increase for Florida in 2024 2025?
Is the state of Florida getting a 3 percent raise?
Gov. Ron DeSantis in December proposed a $114. 4 billion budget. The agreed-upon budget gives state workers a 3% pay raise. Workers at the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the people who protect DeSantis and his family also get extra pay.
How much does the Florida Legislature spend on a pay increase?
The Florida Legislature wants to raise pay for a state workforce that isn’t getting enough work. For the third year in a row, they put a pay raise in the $117 billion state budget that they will soon send to Gov. Ron DeSantis. In sum, the plan spends about $134 million for a 3% pay increase for 96,863 state employees.
How much does Florida pay for retirement?
6. 5 percent increase to total premiums (State Employee portion unchanged). Florida Retirement System (State Agencies) – Total $53. 3 million [$17. 4 million GR; $35. 9 million TF]. Just read! Florida – $1 million GR If approved by the Governor, these rules will go into effect on July 1, 2020, unless they say otherwise.
Will state workers get a 5% pay raise?
It was announced Monday that House and Senate leaders had finished working out the details of a $116 billion plan to spend the state’s budget, which includes a 5% pay raise for workers.
Did Florida public service workers get a 3% raise?
The public servants in Florida who are keeping the state running during this global pandemic finally got a 3% raise—their first in twelve years.
Do state workers get raises?
To lure workers to the state, lawmakers have been boosting the bottom line on paychecks. Worker pay has gone up for the third year in a row and the second year in a row. They got just two stand-alone raises in the previous 12 years. Analysis: Is Ron DeSantis good for state workers? We look at the record.
Will Florida’s 2024 legislative session be a dud for state workers?
Florida’s 2024 legislative session may turn out to be a dud for state workers. As the last week of session approaches, it looks like bills to give public employees more benefits will fail to pass. Also, a bill that would cut the pay of tens of thousands of other workers is about to be brought up for a vote in the House.
