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

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 **** to * U.S. dollars an hour with automatic increases tied to inflation. Some ** percent of Independent respondents said they would vote against such a proposal.

In March 2025, inflation amounted to 2.4 percent, while wages grew by 4.3 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.

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.

When adjusted for inflation, the 2024 federal minimum wage in the United States is over 40 percent lower than the minimum wage in 1970. Although the real dollar minimum wage in 1970 was only 1.60 U.S. dollars, when expressed in nominal 2024 dollars this increases to 13.05 U.S. dollars. This is a significant difference from the federal minimum wage in 2024 of 7.25 U.S. dollars.

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.

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 State Minimum Wage Rate for California (STTMINWGCA) from 1968 to 2025 about minimum wage, wages, CA, rate, and USA.

Wages in the United States increased 4.86 percent in August 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.

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.

This feature layer consists of the contiguous United States and District of Columbia, with Alaska and Hawaii. It comprises state minimum wage data for 2018, as well as historical data since 1968, and future data where available. The data was compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center, with living wage data from MIT's Living Wage Calculator. This layer uses the composite geographies layout to position Alaska and Hawaii adjacent to the contiguous United States.Attributes:

Field Name Unit Description

PeakMW Nominal dollar value Highest minimum wage value planned to be reached in future years (2019-2022)

PeakYR Year The year that the highest minimum wage value is planned to be reached (2019-2022)

DiffPeak2018 Nominal dollar value (difference) The difference between the peak minimum wage and the 2018 minimum wage (PeakMW - DiffPeak2018)

MW2018 Nominal dollar value 2018 state minimum wage

Increase2017 Nominal dollar value (difference) The difference between the 2018 minimum wage and the 2017 minimum wage (MW2018 - MW2017)

Increase2000 2017 dollar value (difference) The difference between the 2018 minimum wage and the 2000 minimum wage (MW2018-MW2000)

Effective2018 Nominal dollar value The minimum wage effective in 2018. For states with minimum wages below the federal minimum wage of $7.25, or for states that have no minimum wage requirement, the federal minimum wage applies.

LV2016 Nominal dollar value 2016 living wage for a single adult at the state level

DiffMWLV Nominal dollar value (difference) The difference between the 2018 minimum wage and the 2016 living wage

CurrentMW Category The type of minimum wage policy in place at the state level

PoliciesMW Text When a state has an indexed minimum wage, the type of policy is described here

Update2018 Category Yes = the state implemented an update to its minimum wage in 2018; No = no policy update in 2018

MW2017 Nominal dollar value 2017 minimum wage

MW2016 2017 dollar value 2016 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2015 2017 dollar value 2015 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2014 2017 dollar value 2014 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2013 2017 dollar value 2013 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2012 2017 dollar value 2012 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2011 2017 dollar value 2011 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2010 2017 dollar value 2010 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2009 2017 dollar value 2009 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2008 2017 dollar value 2008 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2007 2017 dollar value 2007 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2006 2017 dollar value 2006 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2005 2017 dollar value 2005 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2004 2017 dollar value 2004 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2003 2017 dollar value 2003 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2002 2017 dollar value 2002 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2001 2017 dollar value 2001 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW2000 2017 dollar value 2000 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1998 2017 dollar value 1998 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1997 2017 dollar value 1997 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1996 2017 dollar value 1996 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1994 2017 dollar value 1994 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1992 2017 dollar value 1992 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1991 2017 dollar value 1991 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1988 2017 dollar value 1988 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1981 2017 dollar value 1981 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1980 2017 dollar value 1980 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1979 2017 dollar value 1979 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1976 2017 dollar value 1976 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1972 2017 dollar value 1972 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1970 2017 dollar value 1970 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

MW1968 2017 dollar value 1968 minimum wage, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars

Evidence from South Korea suggests that the pace of a minimum wage increase may determine the magnitude of the employment effects.

Minimum Wages in Indonesia increased to 5.40 IDR Million/Month in 2025 from 5.07 IDR Million/Month in 2024. This dataset provides - Indonesia Minimum Wages- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Minimum Wages in Chile increased to 529000 CLP/Month in 2025 from 500000 CLP/Month in 2024. 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.

Wages in Italy increased 2.80 percent in July 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.

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

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

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.

From April 2025 onwards, the UK's main national minimum wage category, the national living wage, will rise to ***** pounds per hour, up from ***** pounds per hour in the previous financial year. This amount will apply to workers aged 21 and over, compared with 2022 and 2023 when it was only for workers aged 23 and over, and for those aged 25 and over between 2016 and 2021. The main minimum wage from 2010 to 2015 was the 21+ rate, and 22+ rate between 1999 and 2009. Evolution of the minimum wage Since its introduction in 1999, the minimum wage has had various rate categories, usually based on age. For the first five years, there were two categories, one for workers 18 to 21, and another for workers aged 22 and over. In 2004, a minimum wage for under 18s was introduced, and between 2010 and 2015 there were three rates based on age, and one for apprenticeships. Another age based-rate was added in 2016, but from 2024 onwards, the model will revert to four rate categories overall. In addition to the legal minimum wage, there is also a voluntary real living wage, which for 2024/25 is **** pounds per hour, rising to ***** pounds per hour for workers in London. Wages continue to outpace inflation in 2024 Since July 2023, wages have grown faster than inflation in the UK with December 2024 seeing regular weekly earnings grow by *** percent, compared with the CPI inflation rate of *** percent that month. For almost two years between November 2021 and June 2023, wage growth struggled to keep up with inflation, with the biggest gap occurring in October 2022 when inflation peaked at **** percent. The fall in real earnings in one of the most important factors in the UK's ongoing cost of living crisis. At the height of the crisis, around ** percent of UK households were reporting a monthly increase in their cost of living, with this falling to ** percent by March 2024.

Minimum Wages in Brazil remained unchanged at 1518 BRL/Month in September. This dataset provides - Brazil Minimum Wages - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.