How much was the minimum wage in 2010?

In 2010, the federal minimum wage remained at $7.25 per hour, set in July 2009, while many states had higher minimum wages, with some increasing (like Alaska to $7.75, Connecticut to $8.25) or even decreasing (like Colorado to $7.24) based on cost-of-living adjustments or state law, creating a mix of rates across the U.S.

What was the minimum wage in 2010?

The federal minimum wage remains unchanged at $7.25/hr. However, various states will either increase or decrease their state minimum wages come January 1, 2010, whereas other states have elected not to change their current rate. $7.75/hr.

What was the federal minimum wage in 2000?

In the year 2000, the federal minimum wage in the United States remained at $5.15 per hour, a rate set in September 1997 that stayed in effect through the entire year 2000 and beyond, until 2007, representing a record long period at one level.
 

How much has the minimum wage gone up since 2009?

In 2009, 72.6 million American workers age 16 and over were paid at hourly rates, representing 58.3 percent of all wage and salary workers. On July 24, 2009, the Federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 per hour from $6.55 per hour.

Which states still have 7.25 minimum wage?

Several states still have the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour because they haven't set a higher one, including Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, with states like Georgia, Oklahoma, and Wyoming having even lower rates where $7.25 applies, while others have no state minimum wage at all.
 

Classic Stossel: Minimum Wage

Why is Target paying $24 an hour?

Target pays up to $24 an hour for some entry-level roles because of intense retail competition, labor shortages, and inflation, leading them to invest in higher wages and better benefits (like expanded healthcare) to attract and retain employees in competitive markets, rather than paying a universal $24 minimum. The rate varies by location and role, with the highest pay in high-cost, competitive areas, as part of a broader $300 million investment in their workforce announced in 2022. 

What is the lowest wage state?

There isn't one single "lowest paying" state, as it depends on the metric, but Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia consistently rank low for median wages or high for low-wage workers, while Georgia and Wyoming have the lowest listed minimum wages (though the federal $7.25/hr often applies). States like Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Louisiana have a large percentage of workers earning below $20/hour, often due to having no state minimum wage or relying on the federal rate, though they also have lower costs of living.
 

What is the federal minimum wage for 2025?

The federal minimum wage in 2025 remains $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009, as no federal legislation has passed to increase it, though bills like the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 propose gradual increases to $17 by 2030. While the federal rate stays low, many states and cities have enacted their own higher minimum wages for 2025, creating a patchwork of rates across the country, with some states setting higher floors or tying increases to inflation. 

Who has to pay $20 an hour in California?

In California, fast-food workers at chains with 60 or more locations nationwide get a minimum of $20 per hour, effective April 1, 2024, under the new law AB 1228 Fast Food Minimum Wage. This includes cooks and cashiers at big chains like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Subway, but excludes some locations like those in airports or hotels and smaller local eateries. Other roles in retail or hospitality might also start around this wage, but it's primarily a mandate for the national fast-food sector. 

How much was the minimum wage in 1970?

The minimum wage went to $1.00 an hour effective February 1967 for newly covered nonfarm workers, $1.15 in February 1968, $1.30 in February 1969, $1.45 in February 1970, and $1.60 in February 1971.

What was the highest paying job in 2000?

Air- plane pilots and navigators averaged $95.80; physicians averaged $61.19. These two salaried occupations topped the list of 427 occupations arrayed by earnings.

How many hours did you need to work to pay rent in 1980?

In 1980, the minimum wage was $3.10 an hour, and the average rent for a single person was $243 a month. That means Liz had to work about 78 hours a month, or 19 hours out of a 37.5 work week, to pay her rent. Her gross income was $496 a month, or $5,952 a year.

Who has the highest minimum wage in the US?

Washington, D.C. has the highest minimum wage overall at $17.95/hour (as of July 2025), while Washington state has the highest state-level minimum wage at $17.13/hour in 2026, with other top states including Connecticut ($16.94), California ($16.90), New York ($16.00-$17.00), Rhode Island ($16.00), and Hawaii ($16.00). Many cities also set wages higher than their state's, with some exceeding $20/hour.
 

What would happen if the minimum wage was raised to $20?

substantial wage increases.

Immediately after the new minimum wage went into effect, hourly wages for California fast food workers increased by at least $2.50, and the share of California fast food workers earning less than $20/hour declined by about 60 percentage points.

Could you live off minimum wage in the 60s?

1960s • Minimum wage: $1.00/hour • House cost: Around $12,000 • Gallon of gas: 30 cents • Adjusted to today's dollars: That $1/hour had the buying power of $10/hour today • Translation: You could buy a house, raise a family, and still take your kids out for ice cream.

Why hasn't the minimum wage been raised since 2009?

The rising cost of living aside, many companies and business leaders have long argued that upping the minimum wage any further could harm small businesses and force companies to further raise prices on consumers.

Does Chick-fil-A pay $20 an hour?

Yes, many Chick-fil-A locations, especially in high-cost areas like California with its new $20 fast-food minimum wage, do pay $20 an hour or even more for roles like Team Members, while other locations may start lower, with wages depending heavily on location, experience, and specific role (like Shift Leader or Kitchen Manager). While some reports show average pay around $15, recent job postings and salary data confirm $20/hr is common, particularly in California where it's a floor. 

Is pizza considered fast food?

The filling often includes fish, seafood, chicken or cucumber. Pizza is a common fast food category in the United States, with nationwide chains including Papa John's, Domino's Pizza, Sbarro and Pizza Hut. It trails only the burger industry in supplying children's fast food calories.

How much is $30 an hour annually in California?

$30 an hour is $62,400 per year if working a standard 40-hour week (30 x 40 x 52), but your actual take-home pay in California will be less after federal, state, and local taxes, FICA (Social Security/Medicare), and other deductions, with figures varying based on your location and filing status. 

Who still pays $7.25 an hour?

Employers in states that haven't set their own higher minimum wage, or have set it at the federal level, still pay $7.25/hour, including states like Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, though few workers actually earn this due to local laws or employer choice, as many states have higher rates and local ordinances often mandate more, notes OnPay. 

What is a livable wage in 2025?

A living wage for 2025 varies significantly by location and family size, but generally requires much more than the federal minimum wage, with single adults needing upwards of $27/hour in high-cost states like California (around $59k/year) and families needing over $50/hour combined to cover basic needs like housing, food, and childcare, with some studies showing major gaps between current minimums and actual living wage requirements nationwide. 

Is 40 an hour good in California?

40 Hr Salary in California. $51.8K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers. The median wage is $61.6K / yr.

Who is exempt from the minimum wage?

Exemptions from minimum wage laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) (FLSA) include certain "white-collar" workers (executives, administrators, professionals, outside sales), tipped employees, <<a>workers with disabilities</a>, full-time students, certain young workers, casual babysitters, and companions for the elderly, along with specific roles in seasonal amusement/recreation, small newspapers, agriculture, and fishing. Exemption depends on specific duties, salary, and industry conditions, not just job titles, requiring careful review of DOL regulations.
 

What is the highest minimum wage in the world?

Luxembourg. Luxembourg offers the highest minimum wage of any country worldwide at US$3,670 (€3,165) per month for skilled talent over the age of 18. Unskilled talent and talent under the age of 18 receive a lower monthly minimum wage: Unskilled workers 18 years of age and older: US$3,051 (€2,638)

What states are raising minimum wage in 2026?

In 2026, at least 19 states are increasing their minimum wages, with many rates taking effect January 1st, including California ($16.90), Connecticut ($16.94), New Jersey ($15.92), and Washington ($17.13). Other states like Alaska, Florida, and Oregon will see increases later in the year, with some rates differing by region (like New York) or employer size (like New Jersey).