Novant Health announced Tuesday that it is raising its minimum wage at North Carolina facilities.

The adjustment will raise Novant’s minimum wage from $11 to $12.50 per hour. About 298 employees at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center will benefit from the change.

The number does not include employees in Rowan County Novant Health Management Group practices.

Most employees benefiting from the change are in entry-level jobs, including technical assistants, nursing assistants, supply-chain and materials management, and some clerical positions.

All told, more than 2,000 Novant workers benefitted from the raise in the Charlotte area, with a total of 5,000 across the state.

The increase follows a 2017 decision in which Novant Health implemented a minimum wage of $11 per hour in North Carolina. The rate was based on local costs of living over and above the state-mandated minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour.

Dari Caldwell, president of Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, said she thinks the increase is “just tremendous.”

“Our team members work so hard and are so dedicated to their patients,” Caldwell said. “We’re proud to be able to provide them a livable wage and feel very passionate about it being our responsibility at Novant to provide that.”

Carl Armato, CEO of Novant Health, agreed.

“Novant Health is dedicated to caring for our communities, starting with our own team members,” he said. “After our initial living wage adjustment last year, we recognized we had an opportunity to further invest in our team members as they continue to provide outstanding and compassionate care and service to our patients.”

Novant Health said in a news release that it is committed to offering competitive compensation and benefits packages.

“Offering a living wage shows that we are living up to our commitment to attract and retain highly qualified team members,” said Janet Smith-Hill, executive vice president and chief human resources officer. “This update to our living wage represents about a $4 million investment in our team members.”