Minimum Wage History (United States)

The US federal minimum wage began at 25 cents in 1938, peaked in real terms in 1968, and diverged into state patchworks after 2009.

Overview

The Fair Labor Standards Act set a 25-cent floor in 1938, and real value peaked in 1968 when 1.60 dollars bought what well over 12 dollars buys now. Coverage expanded through the civil rights era to domestic and farm workers largely excluded at the start. After the 2009 federal freeze, states led: Washington indexed early, Sea-Tac and then cities pushed 15 dollars, and California and New York legislated state-wide 15 dollar targets in the 2010s. Figures are approximate historical conversions.