Here’s What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born
Although minimum wage is not nearly as low as it used to be, America still has a long way to go when it comes to compensating its workers. The federal minimum wage is currently at $7.25, a number that has stayed the same since 2009.
Read More: 7 Things You Must Do To Start Making $1K a Month in Passive Income
Check Out: How I Make $5,000 a Month in Passive Income Doing Just 10 Hours of Work a Year
But even with no recent changes from the federal government, things appear to be moving in the right direction. In July 2019, the U.S. House passed a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025, which could increase the incomes of 17 million to 27 million minimum wage workers, according to Bloomberg.
In the meantime, many states and localities are taking it upon themselves to increase their minimum wages. However, due to inflation and the rising cost of living, it might not be enough to sustain workers. Take a look at how minimum wage has dramatically morphed throughout the years.
1938
U.S. minimum wage: 25 cents
In 2020 dollars: $4.54
Find Out: 30 Best Games That Pay Real Money in 2024
For You: 10 Proven Ways To Get Paid for Amazon Reviews in 2023
1939
U.S. minimum wage: 30 cents
In 2020 dollars: $5.53
Explore More: 12 Key Ways the Rich Multiply Their Wealth
1940
U.S. minimum wage: 30 cents
In 2020 dollars: $5.57
1941
U.S. minimum wage: 30 cents
In 2020 dollars: $5.49
1942
U.S. minimum wage: 30 cents
In 2020 dollars: $4.93
1943
U.S. minimum wage: 30 cents
In 2020 dollars: $4.58
Discover More: 26 Ways To Make $1,000 Fast — In a Week or Less
1944
U.S. minimum wage: 30 cents
In 2020 dollars: $4.45
1945
U.S. minimum wage: 40 cents
In 2020 dollars: $5.80
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
1946
U.S. minimum wage: 40 cents
In 2020 dollars: $5.67
1947
U.S. minimum wage: 40 cents
In 2020 dollars: $4.80
1948
U.S. minimum wage: 40 cents
In 2020 dollars: $4.35
1949
U.S. minimum wage: 40 cents
In 2020 dollars: $4.30
1950
U.S. minimum wage: 75 cents
In 2020 dollars: $8.23
1951
U.S. minimum wage: 75 cents
In 2020 dollars: $7.62
Check Out: Grant Cardone: Here’s How To Become Rich If You’re Earning an Average Salary
1952
U.S. minimum wage: 75 cents
In 2020 dollars: $7.30
1953
U.S. minimum wage: 75 cents
In 2020 dollars: $7.27
1954
U.S. minimum wage: 75 cents
In 2020 dollars: $7.19
1955
U.S. minimum wage: 75 cents
In 2020 dollars: $7.25
1956
U.S. minimum wage: $1
In 2020 dollars: $9.63
1957
U.S. minimum wage: $1
In 2020 dollars: $9.35
1958
U.S. minimum wage: $1
In 2020 dollars: $9.02
1959
U.S. minimum wage: $1
In 2020 dollars: $8.90
Find Out: I’m a Frugal Shopper: 7 Things I Never Waste Money On
1960
U.S. minimum wage: $1
In 2020 dollars: $8.80
1961
U.S. minimum wage: $1.15
In 2020 dollars: $9.96
1962
U.S. minimum wage: $1.15
In 2020 dollars: $9.89
For You: 6 Things Minimalists Never Buy — and You Shouldn’t Either
1963
U.S. minimum wage: $1.25
In 2020 dollars: $10.61
1964
U.S. minimum wage: $1.25
In 2020 dollars: $10.44
1965
U.S. minimum wage: $1.25
In 2020 dollars: $10.34
1966
U.S. minimum wage: $1.25
In 2020 dollars: $10.14
1967
U.S. minimum wage: $1.40
In 2020 dollars: $10.98
1968
U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $12.10
1969
U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $11.59
1970
U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $10.92
1971
U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $10.37
1972
U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $10.04
1973
U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $9.69
1974
U.S. minimum wage: $2
In 2020 dollars: $11.07
1975
U.S. minimum wage: $2.10
In 2020 dollars: $10.40
1976
U.S. minimum wage: $2.30
In 2020 dollars: $10.67
Read Next: Rachel Cruze: 3 Products That Aren’t Worth the Money
1977
U.S. minimum wage: $2.30
In 2020 dollars: $10.14
1978
U.S. minimum wage: $2.65
In 2020 dollars: $10.94
1979
U.S. minimum wage: $2.90
In 2020 dollars: $10.95
1980
U.S. minimum wage: $3.10
In 2020 dollars: $10.28
1981
U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $9.93
Check Out: 7 Best Expensive-Looking Items You Can Buy at Sam’s Club
1982
U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $9.16
1983
U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $8.84
1984
U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $8.48
1985
U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $8.19
1986
U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $7.89
For You: Avoid Buying These High-End Electronics That Could Break Down in 5 Years
1987
U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $7.77
1988
U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $7.47
1989
U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $7.14
1990
U.S. minimum wage: $3.80
In 2020 dollars: $7.69
1991
U.S. minimum wage: $4.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.15
1992
U.S. minimum wage: $4.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.94
1993
U.S. minimum wage: $4.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.69
1994
U.S. minimum wage: $4.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.50
1995
U.S. minimum wage: $4.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.29
1996
U.S. minimum wage: $4.75
In 2020 dollars: $7.94
1997
U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $8.35
1998
U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $8.22
1999
U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $8.09
2000
U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $7.87
2001
U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $7.59
2002
U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $7.50
2003
U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $7.31
2004
U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $7.17
2005
U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $6.97
2006
U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $6.70
2007
U.S. minimum wage: $5.85
In 2020 dollars: $7.46
2008
U.S. minimum wage: $6.55
In 2020 dollars: $8.01
2009
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.86
2010
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.63
2011
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.49
2012
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.25
2013
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.12
2014
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8
2015
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8
2016
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.89
2017
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.70
2018
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.55
2019
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.43
2020
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.25
2021
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
2022
U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
More From GOBankingRates
I'm a Bank Teller: 9 Reasons You Should Never Ask for $2 Bills From the Bank
5 Reasons You Should Consider an Annuity For Your Retirement Savings
Gabrielle Olya and Amen Oyiboke-Osifo contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born