Sonoma County in-home care workers are due for a 14.4% hourly wage increase over the next two years.
County contracted in-home care providers will see a bump in wages and benefits the next two years, as they assist with local seniors and people with disabilities.
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors ratified a three-year contract Dec. 10 between the Sonoma County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority and Service Employees International Union Local 2015 which would increase the hourly wage for nearly 7,200 in-home care workers by 14.4% over the next two years.
According to county officials, IHSS workers are paid the state minimum wage, currently $16 an hour, plus a local wage supplement negotiated by SEIU, currently $1.35 an hour. Under the new contract, the local wage supplement would double to $2.70 an hour in 2025 and increase to $3.35 an hour in 2026. When combined with the state minimum wage, the current $17.35 hourly wage for local IHSS workers would increase to $19.20 in 2025 and $19.85 in 2026.
IHSS providers are employees of the people they care for but are paid by the California Department of Social Services with a mixture of federal, state and County funds, county officials explained in an announcement. Their last contract with the County of Sonoma expired in September 2023.
“This agreement recognizes the incredible work of IHSS providers who help keep vulnerable residents safe in their homes,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Board of Supervisors, which serves as the board of directors for the County’s IHSS Public Authority.
The agreement must be reviewed by the California Department of Social Services. If approved by the state, the wage increases are expected to take effect March 1, 2025.
