The increase in minimum wage for Harris County employees and contractors that will take effect by May and July is going to put thousands of workers out of poverty-level wages, Texas Labor Union President Elsa Flores said.
Flores serves as president for the Texas chapter of the Service Employees International Union, one of the labor unions in the state representing thousands of airport workers, janitors, security officers, food service workers and hospital employees.
Flores said she’s proud of Harris County for setting an example with the decision by commissioners to raise wages from $15 an hour to at least $20 an hour.
“To have them actually now have a living wage that ties to the cost of living for a person, I think is historic," Flores said. "Those workers are going to put that money right back into the economy here in Harris County. They’re paying their rents, they’re buying property, they’re buying their cars, they’re paying for gas.”
Digging deeper
More than 725,000 households in the Houston area earn an income above the federal poverty line but can’t cover the rising cost of basic necessities, including housing, health care and food, according to May 2024 data from nonprofit United Way. The 2025 federal poverty guidelines set $32,150 for a family of four.
The report states that out of the 20 most common occupations in Texas as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% still paid less than $20 per hour.
“At the end of the day, even for small businesses, they need people to make more money so that they can spend the money in their businesses, so this is good all around,” Flores said.
The framework
The new county wage policy takes effect on different dates, according to Precinct 4 officials:
- Harris County employees will make $20 per hour, an increase from $15 per hour, effective May 3.
- Workers contracted for Harris County projects must be paid at least $21.65 per hour for contracts solicited after July 1.
The wage increase will cost the county an estimated annual impact of around $5 million. Funding will go through general funds and special revenues.
How we got hereHarris County commissioners approved the wage increase March 27 by a 3-1 vote. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo was absent, and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey voted in dissent.
Ramsey said the pay increase plan was chaotic and needs a comprehensive, coherent approach. He said he also wasn't briefed on the agenda item.
"I can only imagine the chaos this is going to create in purchasing. We've not had any public meetings or public discussions on this particular program," he said.
What they’re saying
Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said in a news release the measure to establish a living wage is a step toward justice for all working people.
“We will continue to fight for working people so that they can afford housing, health care, child care, utilities and other necessities, and be able to spend time with the people they love because these are building blocks for families to thrive,” Ellis said.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said the pay increase will ensure workers can live with dignity and stability. She said the increase in wages will honor the work of frontline employees and contractors, including those who clean county buildings, work overnight, repave roads, clean ditches and even mow the grass in county parks.
"We know this nation is in an affordability crisis," Briones said. "No one should go home after a long day of work worrying about how they're going to pay the rent, about how they're going to put groceries on the table for their families."
