Workers paid minimum wage U.S. 2021

In 1979, about 3.99 million workers were paid hourly rates at the official minimum wage. In 2021, about 181,000 workers were paid hourly rates at the prevailing minimum wage. The prevailing Federal minimum wage was 7.25 U.S. dollars per hour in 2021.

Number of wage and salary workers in the United States paid hourly rates at the prevailing Federal minimum wage from 1979 to 2021 (in 1,000s)

Characteristic	Number of workers in thousands
2021	181
2020	247
2019	392
2018	434
2017	542
2016	701
2015	870
2014	1,255
2013	1,532
2012	1,566
2011	1,677
2010	1,820
2009	980
2008	286
2007	267
2006	409
2005	479
2004	520
2003	545
2002	567
2001	656
2000	898
1999	1,146
1998	1,593
1997	1,764
1996	1,861
1995	1,956
1994	2,132
1993	2,625
1992	2,982
1991	2,906
1990	1,096
1989	1,790
1988	2,608
1987	3,229
1986	3,461
1985	3,899
1984	4,125
1983	4,261
1982	4,148
1981	4,311
1980	4,686
1979	3,997

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Release date

March 2023

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

1979 to 2021

Age group

16 years and over

Supplementary notes

The prevailing Federal minimum wage was $2.90 in 1979, $3.10 in 1980, and $3.35 in 1981–89. The minimum wage rose to $3.80 in April 1990, to $4.25 in April 1991, to $4.75 in October 1996, to $5.15 in September 1997, to $5.85 in July 2007, to $6.55 in July 2008, and to $7.25 in July 2009. The prevailing Federal minimum wage was $7.25 per hour in 2021.
Wage and salary workers, excluding incorporated self employed

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