Minimum Wage History Table
| Effective date | Federal minimum wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2009 | $7.25 | current rate - unchanged for 15+ years |
| Jul 24, 2008 | $6.55 | year 2 of 3-step phase-in |
| Jul 24, 2007 | $5.85 | year 1 of 3-step phase-in |
| Sep 1, 1997 | $5.15 | held for 10 years (previous record) |
| Oct 1, 1996 | $4.75 | welfare reform era increase |
| Apr 1, 1991 | $4.25 | first increase in 10 years |
| Apr 1, 1990 | $3.80 | step 1 of 2 |
| Jan 1, 1981 | $3.35 | held for 9 years |
| Jan 1, 1980 | $3.10 | inflation-era step |
| Jan 1, 1979 | $2.90 | post-Vietnam adjustment |
| May 1, 1974 | $2.00 | first increase in 6 years |
| Feb 1, 1968 | $1.60 | the real-value peak (~$14 in 2025 dollars) |
| Sep 3, 1961 | $1.25 | coverage expanded to retail/services |
| Mar 1, 1956 | $1.00 | the first dollar-an-hour milestone |
| Jan 25, 1950 | $0.75 | post-WWII reset |
| Oct 24, 1945 | $0.40 | WWII era |
| Oct 24, 1939 | $0.30 | year 1 of FLSA phase-in |
| Oct 24, 1938 | $0.25 | the original FLSA minimum |
The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009 - the longest it has ever gone without an increase since the Fair Labor Standards Act was signed in 1938. The table below runs every federal rate from the original 25 cents to today, and the pattern tells a story: the gaps between increases have grown longer while the real value of the wage has shrunk from its 1968 peak.
Bottom line: the minimum wage's real (inflation-adjusted) value peaked in February 1968 at about $14 in today's dollars - nearly double the current $7.25. The rate has been unchanged for over 15 years, and its purchasing power has eroded by roughly a third since 2009. About 30 states plus DC have their own higher minimums, which is why the federal floor matters less each year for a growing share of workers.
The honest part: this table tracks the federal rate only. State minimums range from the federal floor (in states that don't set one) to over $16 (Washington DC), and some cities add local ordinances on top. The DOL chart is the authoritative source for the federal rate; your state's labor department has yours.
How to use
- Scan the table for any year: the effective date, the federal rate, and the historical context.
- Note the pattern: from 1938 to 1981 there were 11 increases in 43 years (one every ~4 years); since 1981 there have been 7 in 44 years (one every ~6 years), and the last gap is the longest ever.
- Check the 1968 row - the $1.60 rate was the inflation-adjusted peak, and the gap between that year and the next increase (1974) is often cited as evidence the wage was already falling behind by the time it rose.
Frequently asked questions
What is the federal minimum wage in 2025?
$7.25 per hour - unchanged since July 24, 2009. It has been over 15 years without an increase, the longest gap since the FLSA established the minimum wage in 1938. About 30 states plus DC have their own higher minimums, which is why your state's labor department is the better source for your actual wage floor.
When was the minimum wage at its highest?
In real (inflation-adjusted) terms, February 1968: the $1.60 rate was worth about $14 in 2025 dollars - nearly double the current $7.25. In nominal terms, the rate has risen steadily from $0.25 in 1938 to $7.25 today, but inflation has outrun the increases since the late 1960s.
Why hasn't the federal minimum wage increased since 2009?
Congress sets the federal minimum wage, and the political deadlock over increases has held since the 2007-2009 three-step phase-in. The $7.25 rate was the final step of a bill signed by President Bush in 2007; subsequent proposals have not passed both chambers. About 30 states have filled the gap with their own higher minimums.
How does the US minimum wage compare to other countries?
Among developed nations, the US federal rate is low relative to median wages - most European countries set national minimums above $12/hour equivalent, and some (like Luxembourg) exceed $15. Australia's minimum is over $15 USD/hour. The comparison is complicated by different tax systems, healthcare, and cost of living, but the US federal floor is notably lower than peer nations'.