In 1979, the median usual weekly earnings of a full-time employee amounted to *** current U.S. dollars. In 2023, this number had risen to ***** current U.S. dollars. The term current U.S. dollars describes the value of the currency in that particular year. Wages adjusted for inflation can be found here.

In 1979 the median usual weekly earnings of a male full-time employee in the United States of America amounted to 292 current U.S. dollars. In 2023, that figure had risen to 1,202 current U.S. dollars. The term current U.S. dollars describes the value of the currency in that particular year. Men's median weekly earnings adjusted for inflation can be accessed here.

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.

In 2023, the usual median hourly rate of a worker's wage in the United States was 19.24 U.S. dollars, a decrease from the previous year. Dollar value is based on 2023 U.S. dollars. In 1979, the median hourly earnings in the U.S. was 17.48 dollars.

Graph and download economic data for Employed full time: Median usual weekly real earnings: Wage and salary workers: 16 years and over (LEU0252881600Q) from Q1 1979 to Q2 2025 about full-time, salaries, workers, earnings, 16 years +, wages, median, real, employment, and USA.

In 2023, the median weekly earnings of a full-time employee in the United States of America was ***** U.S. dollars, an increase from 2022. Dollar value is based on constant 2023 U.S. dollars. In 1979, the median weekly earnings of a full-time employee was *** constant 2023 U.S. dollars. Median weekly earnings not adjusted for inflation can be found here.

Graph and download economic data for Employed full time: Median usual weekly real earnings: Wage and salary workers: 16 years and over: Men (LEU0252881900A) from 1979 to 2024 about full-time, males, salaries, workers, earnings, 16 years +, wages, median, real, employment, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Employed full time: Median usual weekly nominal earnings (second quartile): Wage and salary workers: 16 years and over (LEU0252881500Q) from Q1 1979 to Q2 2025 about second quartile, full-time, salaries, workers, earnings, 16 years +, wages, median, employment, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Employed full time: Median usual weekly nominal earnings (second quartile): Wage and salary workers: 16 years and over: Men (LEU0252881800A) from 1979 to 2024 about second quartile, full-time, males, salaries, workers, earnings, 16 years +, wages, median, employment, and USA.

In 2023, the median usual weekly earnings of a Hispanic full-time employee in the United States amounted to 874 U.S. dollars. Dollar value is based on 2023 U.S. dollars. In 1979, this figure stood at 764 constant 2023 U.S. dollars. The median weekly earnings of Hispanic workers not adjusted for inflation can be accessed here.

Graph and download economic data for Total Wage and Salary Workers Paid at Prevailing Federal Minimum Wage: 16 Years and Over (T16OC3) from 1979 to 2024 about paid, minimum wage, salaries, workers, 16 years +, federal, wages, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Employed full time: Median usual weekly nominal earnings (second quartile): Wage and salary workers: 65 years and over: Men (LEU0252891700A) from 1979 to 2024 about 65 years +, second quartile, full-time, males, salaries, workers, earnings, wages, median, employment, and USA.

In 2023, the usual median hourly rate of a female worker's wage in the United States was 18.11 U.S. dollars. Dollar value is based on 2023 U.S. dollars. This is a slight increase from the previous year, when women's median hourly wage was 17.9 constant 2023 U.S. dollars. The median hourly earnings of women in the U.S. not adjusted for inflation can be accessed here.

Graph and download economic data for Employed full time: Median usual weekly real earnings: Wage and salary workers: 16 years and over: Women (LEU0252882800A) from 1979 to 2024 about females, full-time, salaries, workers, earnings, 16 years +, wages, median, real, employment, and USA.

In 2023, the usual median hourly rate of a male worker's wage in the U.S. was ***** U.S. dollars. Dollar value is based on 2023 U.S. dollars. This is a decrease from the previous year, when men's median hourly wage was ***** 2023 U.S. dollars. The median hourly earnings of men in the U.S. not adjusted for inflation can be found here.

In 2023, women working as wageworkers in the United States earned 18.11 current U.S. dollars per hour. This is an increase from the previous year, when women's median hourly earnings totaled to 17.18 in current U.S. dollars. The term current U.S. dollars describes the value of the currency in that particular year. The median hourly earnings of women in the U.S. adjusted for inflation can be found here.

In 2023, the median usual weekly earnings of a white full-time employee in the United States amounted to 1,138 current U.S. dollars. In 1979, the median weekly earnings for white, full-time employees was 248 current U.S. dollars. The term current U.S. dollars describes the value of the currency in that particular year. Median wages for white workers in the U.S. adjusted for inflation can be found here.

In 2023, the median usual weekly earnings of an African American full-time employee in the United States amounted to 920 U.S. dollars. Dollar value is based on 2023 U.S. dollars. In 1979, the median weekly earnings of African American full-time employees was 783 constant 2023 U.S. dollars. Median weekly earnings of Black and African Americans not adjusted for inflation can be found here.

Graph and download economic data for Employed full time: Median usual weekly real earnings: Wage and salary workers: 16 years and over: Women (LES1252882800Q) from Q1 1979 to Q2 2025 about females, full-time, salaries, workers, earnings, 16 years +, wages, median, real, employment, and USA.

In 1979, about 3.99 million workers were paid hourly rates at the official minimum wage. In 2023, about 81,000 workers were paid hourly rates at the prevailing minimum wage. The prevailing Federal minimum wage was 7.25 U.S. dollars per hour in 2023.