Hobby Lobby hikes minimum wage to $18.50

Hobby Lobby Stores is once again raising its hourly starting wage.

The arts-and-crafts retailer, which operates some 900 stores nationwide, is raising its minimum full-time hourly wage to $18.50, effective January 1, 2022. In 2009, Hobby Lobby was one of the first retailers to establish a nationwide minimum hourly wage well above the federal minimum. The company has raised its minimum wage twelve times during the last 13 years.

In 2014, Hobby Lobby raised its full-time minimum hourly wage to $15. Last year, the company increased its minimum wage for full-time employees to $17 per hour, making it, at the time, one of the highest-paying U.S. retailers when it comes to starting wages.

“We have a long track record of taking care of our employees,” said Hobby Lobby founder and CEO, David Green. “In 1998, we made the decision to close our stores on Sundays, and at 8:00 p.m. the rest of the week, to provide employees time for rest, family, and worship. We’ve also worked hard over the years to provide the best pay and benefits in retail, which has allowed us to attract and retain an outstanding group of associates to serve our devoted customers.”

“We are thankful for our success as a company and thrilled to begin the new year by sharing that success with thousands of our employees,” added Green.

[Read More: Hobby Lobby adds to Ohio presence with new store in the Columbus Metro]

In addition to providing industry-leading pay, Hobby Lobby said it also provides great benefits to eligible employees, including an outstanding medical, prescription, and dental plan, 401(k) with generous company match, flexible spending plan, long-term disability benefits, life insurance, vacation pay, personal paid time off benefits with annual buyback, holiday pay, chaplain services, and an employee discount.