The state's largest employer - the University of Alabama at Birmingham and UAB Medicine - plans to raise employees' minimum wage to $11 an hour beginning in March.

UAB employs more than 23,000 faculty and staff. The institution currently pays $8.24 an hour, about a dollar higher than the federally mandated minimum wage.

"UAB is proud to lead in the area of elevating its people at all levels of the institution," President Ray L. Watts said. "This change is consistent with our strategic imperative of creating an environment where all staff and faculty can succeed."

The change marks UAB's first minimum wage increase since 2007. It goes into effect with the March 20 pay period and will appear on the April 8 paychecks of more than 1,100 employees.

Based on national best practices at other universities, the minimum wage for part-time, temporary student-workers will remain federal minimum wage of $7.25.

"This will continue to provide good opportunities for our students and allow them to remain competitive for these positions they enjoy," Chief Human Resource Officer Alesia Jones said.

The increase gives UAB employees a slightly higher minimum than the newly implemented citywide wage floor. Last summer, the Birmingham City Council voted to raise the minimum wage to $8.50 in July 2016 and again to $10.10 in July 2017.