Myrtle Beach City Council approves $4.9 million budget adjustment for citywide salary increases
The Myrtle Beach City Council gave final approval Tuesday to a mid-year salary adjustment for staff. A review of comparable cities and counties showed that Myrtle Beach’s compensation was at or below market rates, especially for police and paramedics. The pay increases include $7,500 for certified police officers, $7,000 for paramedics and $5,000 for all other city staff members. The salary increases take effect in January. With the adjustments, the city’s lowest fulltime salary will be $18 an hour, or $37,440. That’s an increase of 8.8 percent. The raises not only reflect the staff’s workload, but will help with recruitment and retention. Here are the new minimum starting salaries for a few positions:
• Certified Police Officer: $60,174
• Uncertified Police Officer: $57,657
• Detention Officer: $50,835
• Communication Officer: $50,835
• Firefighter Paramedic: $60,632
• Firefighter: $50,434
• Heavy Equipment Mechanic: $51,438
• Heavy Equipment Operator CDL: $46,924
• Solid Waste Worker: $37,440
The City of Myrtle Beach offers an extra $1,000 per year for fulltime staff members who are fluent in a second language. Those employees who can speak a second language are utilized when a member of the public is in need of help but does not speak English. Salary bumps also are available for certain educational degrees and certifications. New hires coming from outside of Horry County are eligible for a $4,000 relocation bonus. Plus, the city pays 100 percent of an employee’s health insurance premium and offers a health care clinic for employees and covered dependents. Part-time employees also will see a pay increase of $1.00 to $1.25 per hour, depending on the position.
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