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.
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CRS. (January 8, 2014). The real and nominal value of the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1938 to 2013, expressed in July 2013 U.S. dollars* [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 18, 2026, from /statistics/322624/minimum-wage-us-real-and-nominal-value-over-time/
CRS. "The real and nominal value of the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1938 to 2013, expressed in July 2013 U.S. dollars*." Chart. January 8, 2014. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 18, 2026. /statistics/322624/minimum-wage-us-real-and-nominal-value-over-time/
CRS. (2014). The real and nominal value of the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1938 to 2013, expressed in July 2013 U.S. dollars*. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 18, 2026. /statistics/322624/minimum-wage-us-real-and-nominal-value-over-time/
CRS. "The Real and Nominal Value of The Federal Minimum Wage in The United States from 1938 to 2013, Expressed in July 2013 U.S. Dollars*." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 8 Jan 2014, /statistics/322624/minimum-wage-us-real-and-nominal-value-over-time/
CRS, The real and nominal value of the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1938 to 2013, expressed in July 2013 U.S. dollars* ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/322624/minimum-wage-us-real-and-nominal-value-over-time/ (last visited July 18, 2026)
The real and nominal value of the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1938 to 2013, expressed in July 2013 U.S. dollars* [Graph], CRS, January 8, 2014. [Online]. Available: /statistics/322624/minimum-wage-us-real-and-nominal-value-over-time/
