Key Takeaways
- In 1938, the federal minimum wage was established at $0.25 per hour under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- By 1956, the federal minimum wage increased to $1.00 per hour.
- In 1961, the minimum wage rose to $1.15 per hour for existing covered workers.
- 21 states had minimum wages above federal in 2023.
- California minimum wage $15.50/hour in 2023 for employers with 26+ workers.
- Washington state highest at $16.28/hour in 2024.
- In states without higher minimum, 1.3 million more in poverty.
- Raising to $15 could lift 1.3 million out of poverty by 2025.
- Minimum wage hike to $15 would boost wages for 32 million workers.
- No significant job loss from 2019-2021 minimum wage increases.
- Teen employment rose 5.8% after $15 hikes in 20 states.
- CBO estimates 1.4 million fewer jobs if $15 federal by 2025, but 900k out of poverty.
- Minimum wage covers 1.3% of hourly workforce in 2023, down from 15% in 1979.
- 42% of US workers earn less than $15/hour in 2022.
- 50% of minimum wage workers are women.
Despite rising slowly over decades, the federal minimum wage has dramatically lost purchasing power.
Demographic Impacts
Demographic Impacts Interpretation
Economic Impacts
Economic Impacts Interpretation
Employment Effects
Employment Effects Interpretation
Historical Changes
Historical Changes Interpretation
International Comparisons
International Comparisons Interpretation
State Variations
State Variations Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Minimum Wage Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/minimum-wage-statistics
Henrik Dahl. "Minimum Wage Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/minimum-wage-statistics.
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Minimum Wage Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/minimum-wage-statistics.
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