Charter Communications said Wednesday that it is now offering a minimum starting wage of $20 an hour including target commissions to all of its employees across its entire 41 state footprint, fulfilling a pledge it made nearly two years ago.

Charter said in April 2020 that it would permanently raise its minimum starting wage to $20 an hour by 2022, nearly triple the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour at the time. The company raised its minimum starting wage by  $1.50 an hour in 2020 to $16.50 per hour and by another $1.50 an hour in 2021 to $18 per hour. 

“Our $20-an-hour starting wage is an important investment in our highly skilled employees, who deliver connectivity and entertainment to more than 32 million customers,” Charter chairman and CEO Tom Rutledge said in a press release. “Providing strong, competitive wages from day one, comprehensive benefits and dozens of progression paths make Charter a place to build a fulfilling technology career, not just come to work.”

To highlight the breadth of available careers at Charter, the company’s Careers site is featuring 20 current openings with starting wages of $20 an hour. Overall, Charter said it is looking to fill 2,500 positions across its 41-state service area. 

In 2021, Charter said it promoted more than 13,000 employees, and nearly 2,200 employees returned to the cable company’s employ after accepting positions elsewhere. Candidates can learn more about open positions, more than 50 different available career paths and apply online at the company’s Careers site.

Charter has about 93,000 total employees across the country. In addition to a $20 minimum starting wage, Charter offers comprehensive health benefits, and for nine consecutive years has absorbed the full annual cost increase of medical, dental and vision coverage. The company said it also offers employees a retirement plan, with a 401(k) that matches the first 6% of employee contributions, plus a Retirement Accumulation Plan with an additional 3% company contribution, for which most employees are eligible.

Charter employees can also receive up to $5,250 per year in education assistance, as well as complimentary and discounted pricing on Spectrum Internet, TV and Mobile

Charter Communications said virtually all of its current and newly hired salaried employees now earn at least $18 per hour, a key milestone in its commitment to raise its minimum starting wage to $20 per hour by 2022. 

Charter said in April it planned to raise its minimum wage from $15 per hour (which it established in 2018) to $20 per hour by 2022,  with annual increases of $1.50 an hour to $16.50 in 2020 and to $18 in 2021. 

Also Read: The Year of Living (Less) Dangerously 

“Charter is a place where employees can continuously learn and progress in their development,” chairman and CEO Tom Rutledge said in a press release. “Building, selling and servicing an advanced broadband network, conventional and streaming video, with fixed and wireless mobile products for home and business, creates ongoing career opportunities.”

The company said it is currently hiring for nearly 3,000 positions across its 41-state service area that feature the $18 starting wage. Candidates can learn more about open positions and apply online at the company’s careers site at jobs.spectrum.com.

Charter has about 96,000 employees across the country and said in addition to its highly competitive starting wages, these employees receive comprehensive health benefits, and for the past eight years, Charter has absorbed the full annual cost increase of medical, dental and vision coverage.

The company also offers a 401(k) retirement plan that matches the first 6% of employee contributions, plus a Retirement Accumulation Plan with an additional 3% company contribution, for which most employees are eligible. Charter employees can also receive up to $5,250 per year in education assistance, as well as complimentary and discounted Spectrum services.

Charter Communications said it is planning to raise the minimum wage it pays all of its hourly employees to $20 an hour from the current $15 level over the next two years.

“As millions have shifted to working and learning remotely, Charter’s employees have been working to ensure our customers stay connected during this crisis. We are proud to say that through their hard work, our networks have remained strong, even with a surge in usage,” the company said.

An initial $1.50 increase will be implemented immediately — and applied retroactively — for front-line employees in the field and customer operation groups.

RELATED: Cable's Corona Conundrum

“These employees provide essential communications services to our residential and business communities, including hospitals, first responder and government facilities, which help flatten the curve and protect the country,” Charter said. They also represent the face of the company to consumers.

Those employees will also be getting another $1.50 an hour raise on top of their March 2021 merit raise, Charter said.

By 2022, the company said it is committed to having all hourly employees earning a minimum starting rate of $20 an hour.