Hogan Announces 4.5% Cost of Living Raise For All State Workers

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland's firefighters, law enforcement officers, nurses, and state employees will receive a 4.5 percent cost-of-living raise effective Nov. 1, Gov. Larry Hogan said in a news release.

Hogan's office said Thursday that all employees across state government will receive a cost of living adjustment (COLA) as part of a series of measures to enhance statewide workforce recruitment and retention efforts.

The governor’s action followed official budget projections from the Board of Revenue Estimates showing that, for the second consecutive year, the state is reporting a multi-billion dollar surplus.

Overall, after inheriting a $5.1 billion structural budget deficit, the governor will leave office with a record $5.5 billion in reserves, the Hogan administration said.

"After once again holding the line and bringing fiscal responsibility to Annapolis, we are able to take additional steps to honor our firefighters, law enforcement officers, nurses, and state employees for the meaningful work they do to change Maryland for the better,” Hogan's statement said. “This cost of living adjustment will help state employees and their families with the challenges they face from historic inflation, and — amid the post-pandemic labor shortage — today’s actions advance our enhanced efforts to recruit and retain a talented workforce.”