ST. LOUIS, Mo. — SSM Health has announced it will implement a new minimum wage of $11 per hour throughout its four-state system. The increase will take effect in January 2017.

The wage increase will impact nearly 1,100 workers across Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Wisconsin – that is 3.5 percent of SSM Health’s total workforce of more than 33,000 employees.

The increase will benefit individuals who serve in a variety of important roles, including aides, transporters, dietary and environmental services workers, receptionists and others.

SSM Health says it is continuously seeking ways to better meet the needs of its diverse workforce and provides a number of programs designed to support employees and improve their quality of life.

These programs include tuition reimbursement; continuous education and training programs for career advancement; discounted health insurance for eligible employees; an employee emergency relief fund; as well as a variety of life management services – from personal counseling and healthy lifestyle coaching to legal consultation and financial planning.

The health system says when its  employees have the resources and support they need to take care of themselves and their loved ones, they are better able to provide exceptional care and service to their patients.

The $11 minimum hourly wage is significantly higher than the current federal minimum wage of $7.25, or state minimum wages which range up to $8.25 across the SSM Health system.