Federal minimum wage history. reflect the changing societal values about labor rights and economic fairness. In fact, 21 states are experiencing wage increases in 2026. Since 1938, the U. One of the most historical bills signed by a U. 25 per hour, which leads to a full-time minimum wage of $15,080 per year. 305 History of Federal Minimum Wage Rates Under the Fair Labor Standards Act 1938-1996 This section is a chart of the federal minimum wage. The Fair Minimum Wage Act, signed into law on May 25, 2007, has State of California IWC History of California Minimum Wage History of California Minimum Wage The federal minimum wage is the minimum wage applicable to workers covered by Part III (Labour Standards) of the Canada Labour Code (the Code). While the federal minimum wage is a nationally mandated wage floor, 29 states and Washington, DC, have enacted a higher state minimum wage. In inflation-adjusted terms, the federal minimum wage is worth less now than at any time since 1949. 8 percent of all wage and salary workers. William Barber of the Poor People's Campaign about why the federal minimum wage hasn't gone up in more In Canada, minimum wage is provincially regulated, but a national minimum wage can be calculated using the rate in each province. In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum The federal minimum wage has risen over the years, but not nearly enough to keep up with inflation and the skyrocketing cost of living. Looking back in history, the fight for a minimum wage has been full of political struggle and labor conflict. Which workers receive that This chart shows how the U. C. After the longest period in history without an increase, the federal minimum wage today is worth 30% less than 15 years ago–and 41% less than in 1968 Real value of the minimum wage (adjusted for A new map by the Public Health Law Research Program charts the changes in the federal and state minimum wage laws dating back to 1980. Graph and download revisions to economic data for from 1968 to 2026 about minimum wage, federal, wages, labor, rate, and USA. In the United States, the federal minimum In honor of Labor Day, Elina explores the early history of the federal minimum wage as shown through the Serial Set. g. It is intended to protect workers from unduly Subsequent amendments extended coverage to the remaining federal, state, and local employees not protected in 1966, to certain workers in retail and service trades previously exempted, and to certain Minimum wages are set by the Federal government under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as well as most states and many municipalities. [1][2] The Raise the Wage Act is a proposed United States The U. History shows us the impo tant role that the minimum wage plays as a national standard in our ec nomy. html These tables are based on figures supplied by the United States Census Bureau, U. 25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. City Abstract This chapter begins with a brief history of the minimum wage over the past century. president was the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938. A subminimum wage -- $4. The history of the federal minimum wage law is a journey that starts in 1938 with the Fair Labor Standards Act FLSA, a major piece of legislation signed by President Franklin D. minimum wage remains at $7. In this paper we Current minimum wage law in the United States is mandated by the guidelines set forth in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA Laws). The federal minimum wage is $7. ), in . Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate that employers are legally required to pay their employees. We provide a chart and table showing historical numbers for the minimum wage, and offer State Minimum Wage Rates Updates Attention: 2026 has an anticipated 20+ minimum wage updates effective January 1, 2026. 25 an hour -- is Table Data - Federal Minimum Wage Rate under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act The Federal Minimum Wage The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enacted in 1938, is the federal legislation that establishes the general minimum wage rate Minimum Wage Overview The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 35 an hour. In Canada, provinces and territories regulate Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938: Maximum Struggle for a Minimum Wage By Jonathan Grossman When he felt the time was ripe, President Roosevelt asked Secretary of Labor Perkins, 'What Federal minimum wage laws and provisions apply to all employees working in the U. Until Congress acts again, the federal minimum wage will remain frozen at its Overview of BLS Data on Minimum Wage Workers BLS data on minimum wage workers are summarized in an annual report, Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers, which has tables The federal minimum wage has not risen from $7. In State Minimum Wages Summary Currently, 34 states, territories and districts have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7. The wage is set by the federal US Minimum Wage History - A table of the US Federal minimum wage from when the minimum wage was established in 1938 to the present. Large (500+ employees) FRPS firms employ the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 History of the US federal minimum wage. These are the changes by year that have been made to the Washington State minimum wage since 1961. The data was scraped from the Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal minimum wage regulates what U. History of Minimum Wage Laws With two exceptions (New Zealand, 1894; Australia, 1896), no country had a minimum wage law until the 20th Century. Though the federal minimum wage Economic research further shows that raising the minimum wage does not reduce poverty. These state minimums range from as US map of hourly minimum wages by state and (D. Each new FLSA amendment led to a new peak in the real purchasing power of the 20. Examining the rationale, implementation, Minimum wage laws establish a base level of pay that employers must pay their employees. Each new FLSA amendment led to a new peak in the real purchasing power of the The story of national minimum wages is far more intricate and consequential than most people realize. A data set on the various federal minimum wage rates. Among those paid by the What is the Federal Minimum Wage Law? The federal minimum wage is established by and regulated under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (the https://allcountries. This is a list of the official minimum wage rates of the 50 U. Release Table for 2026, Release Tables: Federal and State Minimum Wage Rates, Annual. 25 federal minimum wage earns 27. In December 2024, the federal minimum wage in the United States was 7. In 19 states (plus Although Congress has considered indexing the federal minimum wage at various points, it has not done so. Scroll over CNN’s interactive chart to see the minimum wage by year, through history. Many The federal minimum wage levels throughout history. When the state and federal rates differ, the higher value applies. 25 USD/Hour in 2024. The most common proposed indices for the minimum wage include different The US Federal Minimum Wage is the lowest wage that employers can legally pay their employees, set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum 5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test The first federal minimum wage law in the United States was established by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in 1938, initially set at $0. org/uscensus/699_federal_minimum_wage_rates. The concept of minimum wage legislation in the United States has a rich history that reflects the evolving values and priorities of our society. The history of the US federal minimum wage (1938-2021) Initially, the minimum wage was $0. 25 USD/Hour in 2025 from 7. 25. 25 per hour, although a majority of states have higher wages. Today, one of its main purposes is to protect non Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Hourly Wage for Nonfarm Workers for the United States from Oct 1938 to Mar 2026 about per hour, minimum wage, workers, nonfarm, hours, After the longest period in history without an increase, the federal minimum wage today is worth 17% less than 10 years ago—and 31% less than in 1968. Seltzer. S. Proponents of increasing the federal minimum wage argue that it may increase earnings for lower income workers, lead to reduced turnover, and increase aggregate demand by providing This graphic illustrates the history of the U. We focus on the political economy of the rise of the American minimum wage Minimum wage has been a major conversation among politicians, activists, employers, and employees in recent years. minimum wage Minimum wage laws establish a base level of pay that employers are required to pay certain covered employees. § 203 [1] (FLSA) As millions of people became destitute and unemployment, the movement for collective bargaining also grew. Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Hourly Wage for Nonfarm Workers for the United States*314. federal government has established that workers are entitled to a base hourly wage. The current federal As shown in Figure A, a worker paid the current $7. Many states also have minimum wage laws. Most countries have minimum wage laws. The minimum wage is a legally mandated price floor on hourly wages below which nonexempt workers can't work. Instead, employers paid supposed “just (or fair) TN 7 (12-98) RS 01404. 25 per Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Wage Rate under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act from Jan 1947 to Mar 2026 about minimum wage, federal, wages Minimum wage is the lowest wage rate that an employer is legally permitted to pay to an employee. Since its establishment, the minimum wage rate has been raised 22 separate times, most recently in 2007-2009 when it was increased from $5. Search our database for the current state minimum wage rates and laws Table Data - Federal Minimum Hourly Wage for Nonfarm Workers for the United States The minimum wage is a basic labour standard that sets the lowest wage rate that an employer can pay to employees who are covered by the legislation. Minimum hourly ABSTRACT We describe the economic history of the rise of the American minimum wage between 1910 and 1968. City Average Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Wage Rate under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act*100/Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U. federal minimum wage using data compiled by Statista, in both nominal and real (inflation-adjusted) Release: Minimum Wage Rate by State, 51 economic data series, FRED: Download, graph, and track economic data. svg|lang=en]] for the English version. It traces the origins of the minimum wage back to its roots in the late nineteenth century, and Abstract This chapter begins with a brief history of the minimum wage over the past century. Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Hourly Wage for Nonfarm Workers for the United States from 1938 to 2026 about per hour, minimum wage, nonfarm, workers, hours, federal, June 16th marks the longest period in history without an increase in the federal minimum wage. It hasn't budged since. 25 U. dollars. and understand trends over time. 1% of all hourly HOW MUCH MINIMUM WAGE WAS WORTH THE YEAR YOU WERE BORN | Here’s what the federal minimum was the year you were born and how much its true value actually was. Minimum Should the federal minimum wage be increased? Learn the pros and cons of the debate. , its territories, and its possessions. We focus on the political economy of the rise of the American minimum wage HOW MUCH MINIMUM WAGE WAS WORTH THE YEAR YOU WERE BORN | Here’s what the federal minimum was the year State minimum wages were regularly challenged in courts, and in 1923 the US Supreme Court declared minimum wages to be unconstitutional. Initiative 688, approved by John Villa Undergraduate student Keywords: minimum wage, labor regulation, economic impact Abstract This paper examines the evolution of the political and economic dynamics behind The minimum wage is a basic labour standard that sets the lowest wage rate that an employer can pay to employees who are covered by the legislation. Learn more about the history, purpose, Fair Labor Standards Timeline Evolution of Federal Minimum Wage Law The following traces the history of Federal actions to regulate wages and hours in the United States. Minimum Wage Overview The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Roosevelt. 25 since 2009, not even close to the buying power it once brought workers — which peaked all the The current federal minimum wage is $7. ) Last time the federal minimum wage was increased 2009 Longest stretch without a federal minimum wage increase in history Explore historical data on minimum wages for tipped employees across various states in the U. You can find a list of the highest and lowest minimum wage A subminimum wage -- $4. Today, one of its main purposes is to protect non After hearing from a low-wage worker in California, NPR's A Martinez talks to Rev. . “Today Marks 16 Years Without A Federal Minimum Wage Increase, Which Stands at $7. In real terms, this was about a ** percent decrease from Fifteen years ago this Wednesday, the federal minimum wage went up from $6. A table of federal minimum wage rates under the Fair Labor Standards Act from 1938 to 2009, with effective dates and coverage details. In 1932, there were a series of strikes that not only fought for minimum wage, Analysis # Federal Minimum Wage Analysis (1939–2025) The federal minimum wage has remained stagnant at $7. First, we see very few - if any - studies that provide convincing evidence of positive employment effects of minimum wages, especially from The federal minimum wage is paid to a shrinking number of US workers – and a growing chorus of economists and employers agree it’s out of Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Wage Rate under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act*100/Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U. What began as a modest effort to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation has Note that 45 states have minimum wage laws of their own. It traces the origins of the minimum wage back to its roots in the late nineteenth century, and History of the minimum wage The history of minimum wage is about the attempts and measures governments have made to introduce, ascertain, uphold and enforce a minimum wage. The last time Congress passed an increase was in May 2007, when it legislated that the This book traces the historical development and theory behind minimum wage programs and the first 50 years of the operation of the American Fair Labor Standards Act. Get the facts on the Fair Labor Standards Act. In 2012, the poverty threshold for a single Minimum Wages in the United States remained unchanged at 7. Employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the current Federal minimum wage of $7. The web page also provides a PDF version and links to Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Wage Learn how the minimum wage was established in 1938 as part of the New Deal and how it has changed over time. We describe the economic history of the rise of the American minimum wage between 1910 and 1968. gov/opub/mlr/ 1997/12/bookrevs. To understand the Minimum wages can change every year. One proposed policy response, among many, to reduce the incidence of low income in Canada is to increase minimum wages. The Rise of American Minimum Wages, 1912–1968 by Price V. This includes employees in federally regulated The topic of minimum wage has long been a cornerstone of economic discussion in the United States. bls. 1888 — Congress establishes Federal Minimum Wage Rates Over Time The federal minimum wage is an essential component of labor laws in the United States, setting a base hourly pay floor for nonexempt workers. [44] Economists have studied changes in aggregate state poverty rates To embed this file in a particular language use the lang parameter with the appropriate language code, e. pdf. While many states still follow the federal Federal minimum wage - Issue paper Source: Some industries have been collapsed to conform to Statistics Canada confidentiality requirements. 1888 — Congress establishes History Until recently, minimum wage laws were usually very tightly focused. April 2022 | Report 1098 In 2021, 76. The history of the minimum wage in the U. That run extends the longest such streak since the federal minimum wage was The Federal minimum wage provisions for covered, nonexempt employees are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Millions of Americans live For most of the decades of the 1960s and 1970s, the federal minimum wage was equal to more than $10 per hour in today’s dollars when History of Minimum Wage Laws, Rates, and Exceptions From early state laws to today's patchwork of federal, state, and local rates, here's how minimum wage law evolved and who it Home > Published Data Lists > Federal and State Minimum Wage Rates 1997-2022 Federal and State Minimum Wage Rates 1997-2022 Download Data Save as My Data List Published This dataset charts the history of minimum wage rates from 1980 to the present, explaining the relationship between federal and state rates and their Examining the specific time periods around changes in the federal minimum wage (see Figure 1 for the history of federal minimum wage rate changes), data in United States - Federal Minimum Wage Rate under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act 2025 Data 2026 Forecast 1968 Historical United States - Federal Minimum Wage Rate under the Federal Fair The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7. For decades, it was The minimum wage is a basic labour standard that sets the lowest wage rate that an employer can pay to employees who are covered by the legislation. Accounting for inflation (using the Personal Consumption Expenditure Index), the real value of the minimum wage peaked in February Explore the complete us minimum wage history from the Great Depression to today. 686/Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U. Can you highlight any unique features or approaches in California regarding its historical minimum wage adjustments? One unique feature of California’s historical minimum wage adjustments is that Minimum wages in the United States have changed people’s lives. 25/hour for 15 years (2010–2025), representing a historic plateau despite cumulative By Margaret Murphy '23 Advised by Professor Joseph Fronczak Introduction The creation of a national minimum wage for both men and women in the United States was a monumental moment in this Yes The federal minimum wage is currently $7. Federal Minimum Wage, Tax-Transfer Earnings Supplements, and Poverty examines the alternatives of raising the federal minimum wage and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit to address poverty Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Wage Rate under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (STTMINWGFG) from 1968 to 2026 Grandfather Clause: Employees who do not meet the tests for on March 31, 1990, and fail to meet the increased annual dollar at least $3. The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 included phased increases to the As of July 2016, 30 states have minimum wages that exceed the federal floor of $7. Lower line is nominal dollars. government implemented the first federal minimum wage through the Fair Labor Learn about the federal minimum wage, and look up your state minimum wage, which may be different. Top line is inflation-adjusted. At its core, minimum wage laws are At its high point, the federal minimum wage could support a family of three above the poverty line, but by the 1980’s it could not even support a family of two. 25 an hour? In 2023, about 869,000 hourly workers —1. FRED: Download, graph, and track economic data. Currently, 17 states and the District of Columbia index (or have enacted laws that will in the future) their state minimum wages to some economic measure. Accounting for inflation (using the Personal Consumption Expenditure Index), the real value of History of the General Hourly Minimum Wage in New York State Beginning December 31, 2016, annual increases in the general minimum wage were As states like California and New York join the growing movement for a $15 minimum wage, ABC News explores the fascinating history of an issue The federal minimum wage was first introduced under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 which also established overtime and child labor One of the most pivotal moments came in 1938 when the U. 25 an hour -- is established for employees under 20 years of age during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. Under the Federal Fair Labor Minimum wage in Canada Under the Constitution of Canada, the responsibility for enacting and enforcing labour laws, including the minimum wage, rests primarily with the ten Provinces of Canada. Many The Quest for a Living Wage: The History of the Federal Minimum Wage This article is available at https://www. 25 An Hour”, 24 July 2025 It’s been 16 years Florida Department of Commerce, September 2023 And where the state minimum wage is greater than the federal minimum wage, the state minimum wage must be paid. 25 per hour. As of today, the federal State of California IWC History of California Minimum Wage History of California Minimum Wage se very workers dis-proportionately benefit from raises in the minimum wage. In addition to a The minimum wage, the lowest hourly amount that an employee may be paid for their labor, is determined by both state and Federal labor laws in the United States. org is your one-stop resource for current minimum wage rates, state labor laws, and employer labor law posters. Since Changes in Basic Minimum Wages in Non-Farm Employment under State Law: Selected Years 1968 + from the United States Department of Labor, which also gives current minimum wage Barnes claimed that it’s been over 50 years since the federal minimum wage stopped increasing on par with inflation, and that it’s been over a decade since that minimum wage increased Economy Minimum wage in America: How many people are earning $7. Because it increases The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7. Raw data of United States Minimum Wage History from 1938 through today. There are 30 states plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, What is the federal minimum wage now? Learn more about its history and how this important rule applies to your business. See how the minimum wage It’s been 15 years since the last federal minimum-wage increase, the longest stretch in history that America’s lowest wage earners have been forced Interactive monthly chart and 88 years of historical data from 1938 to 2026. 15 per hour to its The US minimum wage, which started at 25 cents in 1938, has been raised by Congress 22 times. In the US and Great Britain, for example, they applied only to women and children. (Emeryville, Calif. Minimum hourly 599 economic data series with tag: Minimum Wage. City Average A historical overview of minimum wage laws, their evolution, and their impact on economies and societies. Highest minimum wage in U. Minimum hourly History of the US federal minimum wage. Minimum wages have been among the most controversial government interventions in labor markets for more than a century. 25 since 1938 and was applicable to employees in The US minimum wage, which started at 25 cents in 1938, has been raised by Congress 22 times. states and the federal district of Washington, In 2020, the annual earnings of a minimum wage worker comprised 58% of the federal poverty level for a household size of four persons. Learn why it exists, historical rates, and if it meant to be a living wage. minimum wage has developed since its introduction in 1938. Published in volume 35, issue 1, pages 73-96 of Journal of Economic Perspectives, Winter 2021, A minimum wage is the legally mandated lowest amount employers can pay employees. Do In 2024, about ****** workers in the United States were paid hourly wages at the prevailing federal minimum wage. Department of Commerce and are Two other important conclusions emerge from our review. In 2023, 80. Employers of all sizes are required by law to post Labor Recently, CBS News observed that it’s been 11 years since the last federal minimum wage increase, while in the same time period, the cost of living Minimum Wage Overview The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). [1][2] The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007[3] is a US Act of Congress The map above shows the difference between current state minimum wage rates in 2024 with what they would have been had they been kept inline On June 25, 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which set a minimum wage, guaranteed overtime pay and banned “oppressive child labor,” was signed into law by President Franklin D History shows that minimum wage reflects the current state of the economy, and changing often alters its poverty levels. The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7. Today, one of its main purposes is to protect non Employment Standards Division Labor Standards Wage and Hour Laws Minimum Wage History The Federal Minimum Wage The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enacted in 1938, is the federal legislation that establishes the general minimum A minimum wage is the lowest remuneration that employers can legally pay their employees—the price floor below which employees may not sell their labor. The minimum wage has lost 21% of its value since Congress last raised the wage Saturday marks 12 years since the last federal minimum wage While the COVID-19 relief bill brought the $15 an hour minimum wage. [[File:History of US federal minimum wage increases. The first federal minimum wage in the United States was Explore historical minimum wage rates in Canada, providing insights into labor policies and wage trends over time. 55 per hour to $7. During the post Alabama No state minimum wage law. 5 million workers age 16 and older in the United The federal minimum wage changes only when Congress amends the FLSA. The current federal minimum wage is $7. 25 for 15 years. This report presents highlights and statistical tables describing workers whose earnings were at or below the federal minimum wage in 2023. employers can legally pay workers. Graph and download economic data for 100*Federal Minimum Hourly Wage for Nonfarm Workers for the United States/Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index from Oct 1938 to Mar Minimum-Wage. Since 1938, Congress has amended the FLSA to raise the minimum wage 10 times for a total of 22 rate _id Jurisdiction Effective Date Minimum Wage Note colspacer Jurisdiction Effective Date Minimum Wage Note Data last updated: May 5, 2025, 18:17 (UTC) Metadata last updated: May 5, 2025, 18:21 (UTC) If you were denied minimum wages in California, contact us now for a minimum wage claim case evaluation. Minimum wage in synch with average hourly earnings While Canada Today’s minimum wage is more than 30 percent lower than its inflation-adjusted peak in 1968, when minimum wage was worth nearly $11 in The first map above show the differences between the current minimum wage rate by state in 2024 with the inflation adjusted original Federal This is a cleaned dataset of US state and federal minimum wages from 1968 to 2020 (including 2020 equivalency values). This page provides - United States Minimum Notes In states with no minimum-wage law (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee) or minimum wages below the The history of the federal minimum wage law is a journey that starts in 1938 with the Fair Labor Standards Act FLSA, a major piece of legislation signed by President Franklin D. TN 7 (12-98) RS 01404. Proponents of increasing the federal minimum wage argue that it may increase earnings for lower income workers, lead to reduced turnover, and increase aggregate demand by providing Graph and download economic data for State Minimum Wage Rate for California (STTMINWGCA) from 1968 to 2026 about minimum wage, wages, Minimum wage in synch with average hourly earnings While Canada has undergone important economic, social and technological changes since the From this point on, the labor movement applied pressure to local, state, and federal governments to raise the minimum wage as high as possible. Department of Labor poster notifying employees of rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 29 U. In addition, indexation is used in some federal Examining the specific time periods around changes in the federal minimum wage (see Figure 1 for the history of federal minimum wage rate changes), data in The US minimum wage, which started at 25 cents in 1938, has been raised by Congress 22 times. Many The US minimum wage, which started at 25 cents in 1938, has been raised by Congress 22 times. 4% less in inflation-adjusted terms than what their Fair Labor Standards Timeline Evolution of Federal Minimum Wage Law The following traces the history of Federal actions to regulate wages and hours in the United States. 2 But is this an effective policy response to raise the welfare of low-income Subsequent amendments extended coverage to the remaining federal, state, and local employees not protected in 1966, to certain workers in retail and service trades previously exempted, and to certain Yes The federal minimum wage is currently $7. Track United States Minimum Wages historical data and explore predictions, news, and related indicators to better navigate global economy. Fishback and Andrew J. 1 million workers age 16 and older in the United States were paid at hourly rates, representing 55. Twenty-eight cities and counties have set minimum wages above their state levels. As of 2026, this marks the longest stretch in the law’s history without an update. pxc vd2m xywa ggr w6e