Here’s What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born

See how the minimum wage has changed — or not — over the years.

By Taylor Bell Jul 24, 2021 Understanding the Economy

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M_a_y_a / Getty Images

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.

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. And minimum wage is currently a hot topic as Democrats try to raise it.

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In the meantime, several states and localities have taken it upon themselves to raise their own minimum wages. Recently, Illinois, Nevada and Oregon all raised their minimum wages, USA Today reported. Illinois' minimum wage rose from $9.25 to $10; Nevada's minimum wage rose from $7.25 to $8 for workers with health insurance, and from $8.25 to $9 for those without health coverage; and Oregon's minimum wage rose from $11.25 to $12. In addition, 18 municipalities and three counties announced minimum wage increases.

The rise in the minimum wage seems hopeful; however, due to inflation and the rising cost of living, that amount might not be enough in the future. Take a look at how minimum wage has dramatically morphed throughout the years.

Last updated: May 25, 2021

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1938

U.S. minimum wage: $0.25
In 2020 dollars: $4.54

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1939

U.S. minimum wage: $0.30
In 2020 dollars: $5.53

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1940

U.S. minimum wage: $0.30
In 2020 dollars: $5.57

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1941

U.S. minimum wage: $0.30
In 2020 dollars: $5.49

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1942

U.S. minimum wage: $0.30
In 2020 dollars: $4.93

Read: 17 Biggest Budgeting Mistakes You’re Making

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1943

U.S. minimum wage: $0.30
In 2020 dollars: $4.58

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1944

U.S. minimum wage: $0.30
In 2020 dollars: $4.45

Find Out: 100 Ways To Make Money Without a 9-to-5

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1945

U.S. minimum wage: $0.40
In 2020 dollars: $5.80

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1946

U.S. minimum wage: $0.40
In 2020 dollars: $5.67

Read: 50 Things Every 50-Something Should Know About Retirement

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1947

U.S. minimum wage: $0.40
In 2020 dollars: $4.80

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1948

U.S. minimum wage: $0.40
In 2020 dollars: $4.35

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1949

U.S. minimum wage: $0.40
In 2020 dollars: $4.30

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1950

U.S. minimum wage: $0.75
In 2020 dollars: $8.23

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1951

U.S. minimum wage: $0.75
In 2020 dollars: $7.62

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1952

U.S. minimum wage: $0.75
In 2020 dollars: $7.30

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1953

U.S. minimum wage: $0.75
In 2020 dollars: $7.27

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1954

U.S. minimum wage: $0.75
In 2020 dollars: $7.19

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1955

U.S. minimum wage: $0.75
In 2020 dollars: $7.25

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1956

U.S. minimum wage: $1
In 2020 dollars: $9.63

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1957

U.S. minimum wage: $1
In 2020 dollars: $9.35

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1958

U.S. minimum wage: $1
In 2020 dollars: $9.02

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1959

U.S. minimum wage: $1
In 2020 dollars: $8.90

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1960

U.S. minimum wage: $1
In 2020 dollars: $8.80

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1961

U.S. minimum wage: $1.15
In 2020 dollars: $9.96

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1962

U.S. minimum wage: $1.15
In 2020 dollars: $9.89

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1963

U.S. minimum wage: $1.25
In 2020 dollars: $10.61

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1964

U.S. minimum wage: $1.25
In 2020 dollars: $10.44

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1965

U.S. minimum wage: $1.25
In 2020 dollars: $10.34

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1966

U.S. minimum wage: $1.25
In 2020 dollars: $10.14

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1967

U.S. minimum wage: $1.40
In 2020 dollars: $10.98

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1968

U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $12.10

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1969

U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $11.59

See: What Income Level Is Considered Middle Class in Your State?

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1970

U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $10.92

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1971

U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $10.37

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1972

U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $10.04

Helpful: 16 Effective Ways To Trick Yourself Into Saving Money

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AndreyPopov / iStock.com

1973

U.S. minimum wage: $1.60
In 2020 dollars: $9.69

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1974

U.S. minimum wage: $2
In 2020 dollars: $11.07

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1975

U.S. minimum wage: $2.10
In 2020 dollars: $10.40

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1976

U.S. minimum wage: $2.30
In 2020 dollars: $10.67

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1977

U.S. minimum wage: $2.30
In 2020 dollars: $10.14

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1978

U.S. minimum wage: $2.65
In 2020 dollars: $10.94

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1979

U.S. minimum wage: $2.90
In 2020 dollars: $10.95

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1980

U.S. minimum wage: $3.10
In 2020 dollars: $10.28

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1981

U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $9.93

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1982

U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $9.16

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1983

U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $8.84

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1984

U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $8.48

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1985

U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $8.19

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1986

U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $7.89

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1987

U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $7.77

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1988

U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $7.47

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1989

U.S. minimum wage: $3.35
In 2020 dollars: $7.14

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1990

U.S. minimum wage: $3.80
In 2020 dollars: $7.69

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1991

U.S. minimum wage: $4.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.15

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1992

U.S. minimum wage: $4.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.94

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sturti / istockphoto.com

1993

U.S. minimum wage: $4.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.69

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1994

U.S. minimum wage: $4.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.50

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1995

U.S. minimum wage: $4.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.29

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1996

U.S. minimum wage: $4.75
In 2020 dollars: $7.94

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1997

U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $8.35

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1998

U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $8.22

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1999

U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $8.09

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2000

U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $7.87

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2001

U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $7.59

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2002

U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $7.50

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2003

U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $7.31

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2004

U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $7.17

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2005

U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $6.97

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2006

U.S. minimum wage: $5.15
In 2020 dollars: $6.70

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2007

U.S. minimum wage: $5.85
In 2020 dollars: $7.46

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Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com

2008

U.S. minimum wage: $6.55
In 2020 dollars: $8.01

Read: 19 Things You’ll Need To Sacrifice Now for a Healthy Retirement

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everything possible / Shutterstock.com

2009

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.86

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2010

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.63

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2011

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.49

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kurhan / Shutterstock.com

2012

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.25

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2013

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8.12

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2014

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8

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2015

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $8

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2016

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.89

Check Out: Here’s How To Retire Early and Quit the Daily Grind

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2017

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.70

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YinYang / iStock.com

2018

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.55

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2019

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.43

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ChickenStock Images / Shutterstock

2020

U.S. minimum wage: $7.25
In 2020 dollars: $7.25

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Gabrielle Olya and Amen Oyiboke-Osifo contributed to the reporting for this article.

About the Author

Taylor Bell

Taylor Bell is an Los Angeles-based journalist and staff writer for GOBankingRates covering personal finance. She is a former staff writer for ATTN: and has covered topics ranging from trending pop culture news to women’s social issues.

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