Gwinnett County is implementing measures to attract and retain employees in a competitive job market. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has approved a 5.3% market pay adjustment for eligible staff, effective September 28. This adjustment will increase base salaries and expand pay ranges for both general county positions and public safety step plans. With a significant number of job vacancies in the area, the county seeks to enhance its appeal to qualified candidates.
According to a release obtained by Gwinnett County's official website, Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson has been a strong advocate for competitive pay to ensure that Gwinnett remains a leading choice for employment in the public sector. “For several years now, I have emphasized the importance of bold compensation to maintain our status as a top public sector employer,” she said. Officials indicated that the new pay adjustment is intended to mitigate the effects of inflation on employees, as the cost of living has increased by 25.1% since 2017. They emphasized that prior pay adjustments had not adequately addressed this rising cost until now.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cited by the county officials, indicates that the average cost of living increased by 3.2% from June 2023 to June 2024. This wage increase is intended to alleviate financial pressures on the workforce and enhance the county's capacity to provide services to over a million residents, as well as businesses and visitors.
Gwinnett County Administrator Glenn Stephens added to the conversation, stated in the county's announcement, “Our employees form the basis of this exceptional organization.” Driven by the need to maintain competitiveness, the wage increase recognizes the contributions of current employees while signaling Gwinnett County's intention to attract skilled candidates for future public service positions. This adjustment enables the county to provide appealing compensation packages. “This increase in pay reflects our continued commitment to their well-being and strengthens our ability to compete with other employers to recruit top talent for careers in public service,” he affirmed.
