San Rafael, CA – Marin County remains among the top counties in California for the hourly wage it pays in-home supportive services (IHSS) workers now that the Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved its Living Wage Ordinance to allow wages of more than $15 per hour.
On October 29, the Board approved a 3.0 percent cost-of-living wage increase effective January 1, 2020, for in-home care workers who assist seniors and people with disabilities. The workers will be paid an estimated $15.25 per hour for those who do not receive benefits and up to an estimated $13.40 for those who do. The rates are tied to the regional Consumer Price Index update.
In addition, the ordinance update allows future wage increases for care providers contingent on continued 65 percent state funding for all non-federally supported costs.
Local IHSS caregivers are currently paid $14.80 per hour without benefits, receive the second-highest wages when compared to the 57 other counties in California. San Francisco is highest at $16 per hour without benefits. The Board of Supervisors has routinely expressed a desire to keep pace with the regional Consumer Price Index with the goal of providing a more sustainable wage for workers in Marin.
The change’s total fiscal impact to the County of Marin government would be about $308,000 in annual estimated costs.
In Marin, IHSS providers are coordinated through the IHSS Public Authority of Marin, an agency that is closely tied to the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services. Marin IHSS, based at 10 North San Pedro Road in San Rafael, is always in need of care providers, especially bilingual ones. Those interested in becoming a caregiver can find more information online or by calling 415-457-4636.