In December 2024, inflation amounted to 2.9 percent, while wages grew by 4.2 percent. The inflation rate has not exceeded the rate of wage growth since January 2023. Inflation in 2022 The high rates of inflation in 2022 meant that the real terms value of American wages took a hit. Many Americans report feelings of concern over the economy and a worsening of their financial situation. The inflation situation in the United States is one that was experienced globally in 2022, mainly due to COVID-19 related supply chain constraints and disruption due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The monthly inflation rate for the U.S. reached a 40-year high in June 2022 at 9.1 percent, and annual inflation for 2022 reached eight percent. Without appropriate wage increases, Americans will continue to see a decline in their purchasing power. Wages in the U.S. Despite the level of wage growth reaching 6.7 percent in the summer of 2022, it has not been enough to curb the impact of even higher inflation rates. The federally mandated minimum wage in the United States has not increased since 2009, meaning that individuals working minimum wage jobs have taken a real terms pay cut for the last twelve years. There are discrepancies between states - the minimum wage in California can be as high as 15.50 U.S. dollars per hour, while a business in Oklahoma may be as low as two U.S. dollars per hour. However, even the higher wage rates in states like California and Washington may be lacking - one analysis found that if minimum wage had kept up with productivity, the minimum hourly wage in the U.S. should have been 22.88 dollars per hour in 2021. Additionally, the impact of decreased purchasing power due to inflation will impact different parts of society in different ways with stark contrast in average wages due to both gender and race.

This statistic presents the results of a phone survey conducted by Gallup among American adults who were 18 years and older in November 2013. Survey respondents were asked how they would vote on a proposal to raise the minimum wage from 7.25 to 9 U.S. dollars an hour with automatic increases tied to inflation. Some 23 percent of Independent respondents said they would vote against such a proposal.

Wages in the United States increased 4.46 percent in January of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Wages and Salaries Growth - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Hourly Wage for Nonfarm Workers for the United States (FEDMINNFRWG) from Oct 1938 to Feb 2025 about per hour, minimum wage, nonfarm, workers, hours, federal, wages, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for State Minimum Wage Rate for Ohio (STTMINWGOH) from 1968 to 2025 about minimum wage, OH, wages, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Minimum Wage Rate under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (STTMINWGFG) from 1968 to 2025 about minimum wage, federal, wages, labor, rate, and USA.

Wages in Italy increased 3.80 percent in January of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Italy Hourly Wage Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

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.

Minimum Wages in Australia increased to 915.90 AUD/week in 2024 from 882.80 AUD/week in 2023. This dataset provides - Australia Minimum Wages - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

China Standard of Monthly Minimum Wage data was reported at 1,060.000 RMB in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 870.000 RMB for 2010. China Standard of Monthly Minimum Wage data is updated yearly, averaging 641.000 RMB from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2011, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,060.000 RMB in 2011 and a record low of 367.500 RMB in 2005. China Standard of Monthly Minimum Wage data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GC: Standard of Monthly Minimum Wage.

Graph and download economic data for State Minimum Wage Rate for Virginia (STTMINWGVA) from 1976 to 2025 about minimum wage, VA, wages, rate, and USA.

Minimum Wages in Chile increased to 500000 CLP/Month in 2024 from 460000 CLP/Month in 2023. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Chile Minimum Monthly Wages - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

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. Today, one of its main purposes is to protect non-unionized workers in unskilled jobs, although it can also influence, directly or indirectly, the level of compensation of other employees as well. A minimum wage constitutes a floor above which employees or their unions may negotiate with management for higher remuneration. However, it is rarely static: adjustments are required from time to time to maintain its relevance in changing economic and social conditions.

Minimum Wages in Ireland increased to 12.70 EUR/Hour in 2024 from 11.30 EUR/Hour in 2023. This dataset provides - Ireland Minimum Wages - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Minimum Wages in Canada increased to 17.20 CAD/Hour in 2024 from 16.55 CAD/Hour in 2023. This dataset provides - Canada Minimum Wages- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The minimum wage per day guaranteed by law in Mexico was decreed to increase by approximately 12 percent between 2024 and 2025, reaching 278.8 Mexican pesos in 2025. The Northern Free Zone located near the northern border was the exception, where the minimum daily wage increased to 419.88 Mexican pesos. Education and income disparity The income distribution is entirely a new story than minimum wages, in fact, there are many factors that influence the level of salaries for Mexican workers. One of the main differences is by the number of schooling years, someone with more than 18 years of study earns on average double than employees with seven to nine years. Moreover, the area of study, while statistics and finance mean salaries, the highest wages by degree, are above 30,000 Mexican pesos per month, others such as performing arts and theology rank as the lowest paying degrees in Mexico.
Poverty still among the main problems
Despite one of the main reasons for minimum wage increases being moving people out from poverty conditions, poverty continues to be one of the main problems Mexican society faces. The number of people living under poverty conditions has decreased by 8.54 million inhabitants from 2014 to 2022, nonetheless, the figure is still higher than 46.5 million. The poverty rate varies among states, with Chiapas leading the ranking with 67.4 percent of the population under such conditions, while both Baja California and Baja California Sur recorded less than 14 percent.

Minimum Wages in Germany increased to 12.82 EUR/Hour in 2025 from 12.41 EUR/Hour in 2024. This dataset provides - Germany Minimum Wages- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Minimum Wages in Turkey remained unchanged at 26005.50 TRY/Month in the fourth quarter of 2025 from 26005.50 TRY/Month in the second quarter of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Turkey Minimum Monthly Wage - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Canada Minimum Wage: Northwest Territories data was reported at 16.700 CAD in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 16.050 CAD for 2023. Canada Minimum Wage: Northwest Territories data is updated yearly, averaging 7.000 CAD from Dec 1968 (Median) to 2024, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.700 CAD in 2024 and a record low of 1.250 CAD in 1969. Canada Minimum Wage: Northwest Territories data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Employment and Social Development Canada. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.G043: Minimum Wage.