💵 Federal Minimum Wage History

Definition: The federal minimum wage has increased from $0.25/hour in 1938 to $7.25/hour since 2009. When adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage peaked in real purchasing power in 1968 at roughly $12/hour in today’s dollars — meaning minimum wage workers today have less buying power than they did 55 years ago.

History & Analysis: The longest period without an increase is the current stretch: 2009-2025 (16+ years). At $7.25, a full-time minimum wage worker earns $15,080/year, below the poverty line for a family of two. Some states (CA, WA, NY) have set higher state-level minimums of $15-17/hr.

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Data from BLS CPI, FRED, and historical records. Prices are approximate national averages.