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.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Food and Beverages in U.S. City Average (CWSR0000SAF) from Jan 1967 to Feb 2025 about clerical workers, beverages, urban, food, wages, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

This statistic presents the nominal and real value of the statutory minimum wage in the United States from 1938 to 2013, in 2013 U.S. dollars. In 1938, the minimum wage was 0.25 U.S. dollars per hour, the equivalent of 4.06 U.S. dollars in 2013 terms. The real value of the minimum wage peaked in 1968 when minimum wage workers earned 1.60 U.S. dollars per hour, the equivalent of 10.69 U.S. dollars in 2013 terms.

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

Economically Active Population Survey: Wage earners by type of working day and decile. Absolute values and percentages with regard to the total for each working day. Annual. National.

The statistic above provides information on the value of robberies compared to wage theft in the United States. In 2012, 280 million U.S. dollars were stolen by employers from their employees by working them off the clock, by failing to pay the minimum wage, or by cheating them of overtime pay. While the value of combined street, bank, gas station and convenience store robberies was about 139 million U.S. dollars in 2012.

Consumer Price Index: Total All Items: Wage Earners for the United States was 129.73038 Index 2010=1.00 in December of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Consumer Price Index: Total All Items: Wage Earners for the United States reached a record high of 130.38997 in September of 2023 and a record low of 12.61878 in September of 1955. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Consumer Price Index: Total All Items: Wage Earners for the United States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on April of 2025.

The Wage Price Index measures changes in the price of labour services resulting from market pressures, and is unaffected by changes in the quality or quantity of work performed. It is unaffected by changes in the composition of the labour force, hours worked, or changes in characteristics of employees (e.g. work performance). Information about the wage price indexes has been released for each quarter since September 1997. Individual indexes are published for various combinations of state and territory, public and private sectors, and broad industry groups.

Wages in Russia increased 0.10 percent in March of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset provides - Russia Wage Growth- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Energy Services in U.S. City Average (CWUR0000SEHF) from Mar 1935 to Apr 2025 about clerical workers, energy, urban, wages, services, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Wages in Iceland increased 3.90 percent in April of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Iceland Real Wage Growth - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Wages in Manufacturing in the United States increased to 28.92 USD/Hour in May from 28.80 USD/Hour in April of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Average Hourly Wages in Manufacturing - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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.

CPI W: FB: Food data was reported at 251.849 1982-1984=100 in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 251.651 1982-1984=100 for May 2018. CPI W: FB: Food data is updated monthly, averaging 32.600 1982-1984=100 from Jan 1913 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 1266 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 251.888 1982-1984=100 in Apr 2018 and a record low of 9.400 1982-1984=100 in Apr 1933. CPI W: FB: Food 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.I012: Consumer Price Index: Urban Wage and Clerical Workers.

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

Wages in Mexico increased to 617.58 MXN/Day in January from 587.39 MXN/Day in December of 2024. This dataset provides - Mexico Average Daily Wages - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

CPI W: FB: Food: Home: FV: Fresh: Fruits: Others data was reported at 116.574 Dec1997=100 in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 121.434 Dec1997=100 for May 2018. CPI W: FB: Food: Home: FV: Fresh: Fruits: Others data is updated monthly, averaging 109.700 Dec1997=100 from Dec 1997 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 247 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 135.843 Dec1997=100 in Jan 2008 and a record low of 75.000 Dec1997=100 in Sep 1998. CPI W: FB: Food: Home: FV: Fresh: Fruits: Others 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.I012: Consumer Price Index: Urban Wage and Clerical Workers.

CPI W: sa: FB: Food: Home: Others: OF: Spices,Seasonings, Condiments data was reported at 241.606 1982-1984=100 in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 241.224 1982-1984=100 for May 2018. CPI W: sa: FB: Food: Home: Others: OF: Spices,Seasonings, Condiments data is updated monthly, averaging 172.150 1982-1984=100 from Jan 1978 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 486 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 242.197 1982-1984=100 in Jan 2018 and a record low of 64.700 1982-1984=100 in Jan 1978. CPI W: sa: FB: Food: Home: Others: OF: Spices,Seasonings, Condiments 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.I013: Consumer Price Index: Urban Wage and Clerical Workers: sa.

CPI W: sa: GS: Miscellaneous Services: Financial Services data was reported at 478.314 Dec1986=100 in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 471.521 Dec1986=100 for Mar 2025. CPI W: sa: GS: Miscellaneous Services: Financial Services data is updated monthly, averaging 297.129 Dec1986=100 from Jan 1999 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 316 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 478.314 Dec1986=100 in Apr 2025 and a record low of 201.900 Dec1986=100 in Jan 1999. CPI W: sa: GS: Miscellaneous Services: Financial Services data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.I019: Consumer Price Index: Urban: Wage and Clerical Workers: Seasonally Adjusted.

CPI W: FB: Food: Home: CB: CP: Rice, Pasta, Cornmeal data was reported at 236.390 1982-1984=100 in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 232.933 1982-1984=100 for May 2018. CPI W: FB: Food: Home: CB: CP: Rice, Pasta, Cornmeal data is updated monthly, averaging 150.000 1982-1984=100 from Dec 1977 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 487 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 244.670 1982-1984=100 in Jun 2015 and a record low of 67.000 1982-1984=100 in Dec 1977. CPI W: FB: Food: Home: CB: CP: Rice, Pasta, Cornmeal 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.I012: Consumer Price Index: Urban Wage and Clerical Workers.