In 2023, there were about 29,000 male workers and 51,000 female workers in the United States receiving hourly rates at the federal minimum wage. For both, this is a significant decrease from the previous year.
Number of workers paid hourly rates at the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2023, by gender
(in thousands)
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.Â
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Bureau of Labor Statistics. (August 15, 2024). Number of workers paid hourly rates at the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2023, by gender (in thousands) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/188529/workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-the-federal-minimum-wage-by-gender-since-1979/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Number of workers paid hourly rates at the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2023, by gender (in thousands)." Chart. August 15, 2024. Statista. Accessed January 24, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/188529/workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-the-federal-minimum-wage-by-gender-since-1979/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Number of workers paid hourly rates at the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2023, by gender (in thousands). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: January 24, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/188529/workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-the-federal-minimum-wage-by-gender-since-1979/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Number of Workers Paid Hourly Rates at The Federal Minimum Wage in The United States from 1979 to 2023, by Gender (in Thousands)." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Aug 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/188529/workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-the-federal-minimum-wage-by-gender-since-1979/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Number of workers paid hourly rates at the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2023, by gender (in thousands) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/188529/workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-the-federal-minimum-wage-by-gender-since-1979/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed (last visited January 24, 2025)
Number of workers paid hourly rates at the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2023, by gender (in thousands) [Graph], Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 15, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/188529/workers-paid-hourly-rates-at-the-federal-minimum-wage-by-gender-since-1979/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
