Data before 2024 were derived from previous publications by the source.
The prevailing federal minimum wage was $2.90 in 1979, $3.10 in 1980, and $3.35 in 1981–89. The minimum wage rose to $3.80 in April 1990, to $4.25 in April 1991, to $4.75 in October 1996, to $5.15 in September 1997, to $5.85 in July 2007, to $6.55 in July 2008, and to $7.25 in July 2009.Â
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Workers earning federal minimum wage in the U.S. 1979-2025
In 2025, about * workers in the United States were paid hourly wages at the prevailing federal minimum wage. In 1979, this figure stood at about **** million workers. The prevailing federal minimum wage was 7.25 U.S. dollars per hour.
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Bureau of Labor Statistics. (February 20, 2026). Number of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates at the prevailing federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2025 (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from /statistics/188199/wage-and-salary-workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-minimum-wage-since-1979/
Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Number of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates at the prevailing federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2025 (in 1,000s)." Chart. February 20, 2026. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 28, 2026. /statistics/188199/wage-and-salary-workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-minimum-wage-since-1979/
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026). Number of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates at the prevailing federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2025 (in 1,000s). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 28, 2026. /statistics/188199/wage-and-salary-workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-minimum-wage-since-1979/
Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Number of Wage and Salary Workers Paid Hourly Rates at The Prevailing Federal Minimum Wage in The United States from 1979 to 2025 (in 1,000s)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 20 Feb 2026, /statistics/188199/wage-and-salary-workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-minimum-wage-since-1979/
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Number of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates at the prevailing federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2025 (in 1,000s) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/188199/wage-and-salary-workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-minimum-wage-since-1979/ (last visited July 28, 2026)
Number of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates at the prevailing federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2025 (in 1,000s) [Graph], Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 20, 2026. [Online]. Available: /statistics/188199/wage-and-salary-workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-minimum-wage-since-1979/
