In 2023, the median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers in the United States was 19.24 U.S. dollars. This is an increase from 1979, when median hourly earnings were at 4.44 U.S. dollars. Hourly Workers The United States national minimum wage is 7.25 U.S. dollars per hour, which has been the minimum wage since 2009. However, each state has the agency to set their state minimum wage. Furthermore, some cities are able to create their minimum wage. Many argue that the minimum wage is too low and should be raised, because it is not considered a living wage. There has been a movement to raise the minimum wage to 15 U.S. dollars per hour, called “Fight for 15” which began in the early 2010s. While there has been no movement at the federal level, some states have moved to increase their minimum wages, with at least three states and the District of Columbia setting minimum wage rates at or above 15 dollars per hour. More recently, some proponents of increasing the minimum wage say that 15 dollars is too low, and lawmakers should strive toward a higher goal, especially given that a 2021 analysis found that the minimum wage in the U.S. should be 22.88 U.S. dollars if it grew at the same rate as economic productivity. Salary Workers On the other hand, salary workers in the United States do not get paid on an hourly basis. The median weekly earnings of salary workers have significantly increased since 1979. Asian salary workers had the highest hourly earnings in the U.S. in 2021. Among female salary workers, those ages 45 to 54 years old had the highest median hourly earnings in 2021, likewise for male salary workers.

Graph and download economic data for Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in District of Columbia (SMU11000000500000003) from Jan 2007 to Aug 2025 about DC, earnings, hours, private, employment, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Lake County-Porter County-Jasper County, IN (MD) (SMU18294140500000003) from Jan 2007 to Aug 2025 about inland waterway, average, wages, private, employment, and USA.

United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Land Subdivision data was reported at 36.480 USD in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 36.690 USD for Aug 2018. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Land Subdivision data is updated monthly, averaging 30.580 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 151 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 39.490 USD in Sep 2016 and a record low of 26.330 USD in Jul 2008. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Land Subdivision data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G033: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: Oth: Side Preparation Contractor data was reported at 27.740 USD in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 27.500 USD for Apr 2018. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: Oth: Side Preparation Contractor data is updated monthly, averaging 24.100 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to May 2018, with 147 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.740 USD in May 2018 and a record low of 20.100 USD in Mar 2006. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: Oth: Side Preparation Contractor data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G033: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Other Heavy Construction data was reported at 34.310 USD in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 33.740 USD for Aug 2018. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Other Heavy Construction data is updated monthly, averaging 26.050 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 151 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 34.310 USD in Sep 2018 and a record low of 22.280 USD in Mar 2006. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Other Heavy Construction data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G033: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings: Seasonally Adjusted.

Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Water & Sewer System data was reported at 28.290 USD in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 28.270 USD for Apr 2018. Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Water & Sewer System data is updated monthly, averaging 25.190 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to May 2018, with 147 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 28.440 USD in Dec 2017 and a record low of 20.850 USD in Mar 2006. Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Water & Sewer System data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G033: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: BE: Other Bldg Equip Contractor data was reported at 30.470 USD in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 30.580 USD for Apr 2018. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: BE: Other Bldg Equip Contractor data is updated monthly, averaging 26.240 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to May 2018, with 147 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.730 USD in Mar 2018 and a record low of 21.660 USD in Mar 2006. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: BE: Other Bldg Equip Contractor data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G033: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings: Seasonally Adjusted.

Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI (MD) was 33.16000 $ per Hour in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI (MD) reached a record high of 33.16000 in January of 2024 and a record low of 25.42000 in January of 2007. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI (MD) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: BE: Plumbing & HVAC Contractor data was reported at 29.420 USD in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 29.350 USD for Apr 2018. Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: BE: Plumbing & HVAC Contractor data is updated monthly, averaging 26.260 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to May 2018, with 147 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 29.420 USD in May 2018 and a record low of 21.870 USD in Mar 2006. Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: BE: Plumbing & HVAC Contractor data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G033: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: Bldg Finishing Contractor (BF) data was reported at 27.840 USD in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 27.910 USD for Apr 2018. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: Bldg Finishing Contractor (BF) data is updated monthly, averaging 23.630 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to May 2018, with 147 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.910 USD in Apr 2018 and a record low of 20.880 USD in Mar 2006. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: Bldg Finishing Contractor (BF) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G033: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings: Seasonally Adjusted.

Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: EC: Roofing Contractor data was reported at 26.110 USD in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 26.010 USD for Apr 2018. Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: EC: Roofing Contractor data is updated monthly, averaging 22.990 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to May 2018, with 147 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.110 USD in May 2018 and a record low of 18.960 USD in May 2006. Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: ST: EC: Roofing Contractor data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G033: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings: Seasonally Adjusted.

Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Delaware County, PA was 37.29000 $ per Hour in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Delaware County, PA reached a record high of 37.29000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 25.12000 in January of 2012. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Delaware County, PA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Power & Communication System data was reported at 34.910 USD in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 33.110 USD for Aug 2018. Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Power & Communication System data is updated monthly, averaging 27.580 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 151 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 34.910 USD in Sep 2018 and a record low of 21.260 USD in Mar 2006. Avg Hourly Earnings: sa: CO: Power & Communication System data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G033: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings: Seasonally Adjusted.

Graph and download economic data for Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO (MSA) (SMU08197400500000003) from Jan 2007 to Aug 2025 about Denver, CO, earnings, hours, private, employment, and USA.

The federally mandated minimum wage in the United States is 7.25 U.S. dollars per hour, although the minimum wage varies from state to state. As of January 1, 2025, the District of Columbia had the highest minimum wage in the U.S., at 17.5 U.S. dollars per hour. This was followed by Washington, which had 16.66 U.S. dollars per hour as the state minimum wage. Minimum wage workers Minimum wage jobs are traditionally seen as “starter jobs” in the U.S., or first jobs for teenagers and young adults, and the number of people working minimum wage jobs has decreased from almost four million in 1979 to about 247,000 in 2020. However, the number of workers earning less than minimum wage in 2020 was significantly higher, at about 865,000. Minimum wage jobs Minimum wage jobs are primarily found in food preparation and serving occupations, as well as sales jobs (primarily in retail). Because the minimum wage has not kept up with inflation, nor has it been increased since 2009, it is becoming harder and harder live off of a minimum wage wage job, and for those workers to afford essential things like rent.

Graph and download economic data for Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Rockingham County-Strafford County, NH (MD) (SMU33404840500000003) from Jan 2011 to Aug 2025 about Rockingham, NH, average, wages, private, employment, and USA.

Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI (MD) (DISCONTINUED) was 31.66393 $ per Hour in March of 2022, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI (MD) (DISCONTINUED) reached a record high of 31.93003 in January of 2022 and a record low of 24.46779 in February of 2007. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI (MD) (DISCONTINUED) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

United States Avg Hourly Earnings: CO: Building data was reported at 32.280 USD in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 32.210 USD for Sep 2018. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: CO: Building data is updated monthly, averaging 26.630 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 152 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 32.280 USD in Oct 2018 and a record low of 23.090 USD in Mar 2006. United States Avg Hourly Earnings: CO: Building data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G032: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings.

Avg Hourly Earnings: CO: Utility System data was reported at 30.660 USD in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 30.740 USD for Apr 2018. Avg Hourly Earnings: CO: Utility System data is updated monthly, averaging 26.290 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to May 2018, with 147 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31.220 USD in Sep 2017 and a record low of 21.020 USD in Mar 2006. Avg Hourly Earnings: CO: Utility System data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G032: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings.