Even though it’s not nearly as low as it used to be, America still needs to do a lot to make sure workers are paid fairly. As of now, the government minimum wage has stayed the same at $7.25 an hour since 2009. With the way the economy has gone, many states and cities are raising their minimum wage on their own. The cost of life is going up, though, so it might not be enough to keep workers alive. Regardless, here is how the minimum wage measured up through the years against its value in 2020.
1938
The minimum wage in the United States was only 25 cents in 1938. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $4.54.
1939
The minimum wage in the United States was only 30 cents in 1939. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $5.53.
1940
The minimum wage in the United States was still 30 cents in 1940. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $5.57.
1941
The minimum wage in the United States was still 30 cents in 1941. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $5.49.
1942
The minimum wage in the United States was still 30 cents in 1942. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $4.93.
1943
The minimum wage in the United States was still 30 cents in 1943. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $4.58.
1944
The minimum wage in the United States was still 30 cents in 1944. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $4.45.
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1945
The minimum wage in the United States was 40 cents in 1945. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $5.80.
1946
The minimum wage in the United States was 40 cents in 1946. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $5.67.
1947
The minimum wage in the United States was 40 cents in 1947. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $4.80.
1948
The minimum wage in the United States was 40 cents in 1948. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $4.35.
1949
The minimum wage in the United States was 40 cents in 1949. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $4.30.
1950
The minimum wage in the United States was 75 cents in 1950. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.23.
1951
The minimum wage in the United States was 75 cents in 1951. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.62.
1952
The minimum wage in the United States was 75 cents in 1952. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.30.
1953
The minimum wage in the United States was 75 cents in 1953. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.27.
1954
The minimum wage in the United States was 75 cents in 1954. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.19.
1955
The minimum wage in the United States was 75 cents in 1955. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.25.
1956
The minimum wage in the United States was $1 in 1956. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $9.63.
1957
The minimum wage in the United States was $1 in 1957. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $9.35.
1958
The minimum wage in the United States was $1 in 1958. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $9.02.
1959
The minimum wage in the United States was $1 in 1959. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.90.
1960
The minimum wage in the United States was $1 in 1960. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.80.
1961
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.15 in 1961. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $9.96.
1962
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.15 in 1962. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $9.89.
1963
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.25 in 1963. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.61.
1964
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.25 in 1964. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.44.
1965
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.25 in 1965. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.34.
1966
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.25 in 1966. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.14.
1967
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.40 in 1967. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.98.
1968
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.60 in 1968. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $12.10.
1969
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.60 in 1969. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $11.59.
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1970
The minimum wage in the United States was $1.60 in 1970. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.92.
1971
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.60 in 1971. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.37.
1972
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.60 in 1972. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.04.
1973
The minimum pay in the United States was $1.60 in 1973. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $9.69.
1974
The minimum pay in the United States was $2 in 1974. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $11.07.
1975
The minimum pay in the United States was $2.10 in 1975. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.40.
1976
The minimum pay in the United States was $2.30 in 1976. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.67.
1977
The minimum pay in the United States was $2.30 in 1977. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.14.
1978
The minimum pay in the United States was $2.65 in 1978. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.94.
1979
The minimum pay in the United States was $2.90 in 1979. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.95.
1980
The minimum pay in the United States was $3.10 in 1980. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $10.28.
1981
The minimum pay in the United States was $3.35 in 1981. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $9.93.
1982
The minimum pay in the United States was $3.35 in 1982. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $9.16.
1983
The minimum wage in the United States was $3.35 in 1983. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.84.
1984
The minimum pay in the United States was $3.35 in 1984. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.48.
1985
The minimum pay in the United States was $3.35 in 1985. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.19.
1986
The minimum pay in the United States was $3.35 in 1986. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.89.
1987
The minimum pay in the United States was $3.35 in 1987. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.77.
1988
The minimum pay in the United States was $3.35 in 1988. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.47.
1989
The minimum pay in the United States was $3.35 in 1989. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.14.
1990
The minimum pay in the United States was $3.80 in 1990. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.69.
1991
The minimum pay in the United States was $4.25 in 1991. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.15.
1992
The minimum wage in the United States was $4.25 in 1992. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.94.
1993
The minimum pay in the United States was $4.25 in 1993. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.69.
1994
The minimum pay in the United States was $4.25 in 1994. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.50.
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1995
The minimum pay in the United States was $4.25 in 1995. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.29.
1996
The minimum pay in the United States was $4.75 in 1996. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.94.
1997
The minimum pay in the United States was $5.15 in 1997. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.35.
1998
The minimum pay in the United States was $5.15 in 1998. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.22.
1999
The minimum wage in the United States was $5.15 in 1999. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.09.
2000
The minimum pay in the United States was $5.15 in 2000. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.87.
2001
The minimum pay in the United States was $5.15 in 2001. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.59.
2002
The minimum pay in the United States was $5.15 in 2002. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.50.
2003
The minimum pay in the United States was $5.15 in 2003. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.31.
2004
The minimum pay in the United States was $5.15 in 2004. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.17.
2005
The minimum pay in the United States was $5.15 in 2005. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $6.97.
2006
The minimum pay in the United States was $5.15 in 2006. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $6.70.
2007
The minimum pay in the United States was $5.15 in 2007. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.59.
2008
The minimum wage in the United States was $5.85 in 2008. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.46.
2009
The minimum pay in the United States was $6.55 in 2009. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.01.
2010
The minimum pay in the United States was $7.25 in 2010. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.63.
2011
The minimum pay in the United States was $7.25 in 2011. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.49.
2012
The minimum pay in the United States was $7.25 in 2012. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.25.
2013
The minimum pay in the United States was $7.25 in 2013. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.12.
2014
The minimum pay in the United States was $7.25 in 2014. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.
2015
The minimum pay in the United States was $7.25 in 2015. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $8.
2016
The minimum pay in the United States was $7.25 in 2016. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.89.
2017
The minimum pay in the United States was $7.25 in 2017. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.70.
2018
The minimum pay in the United States was $7.25 in 2018. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.55.
2019
The minimum pay in the United States was $7.25 in 2019. In 2020, accounting for inflation, it would come to about $7.43.
2020, 2021, and 2022
The minimum wage in the United States for 2020, 2021, and 2022 have remained constant at $7.25 respectively. However, there has been talks in the Congress since 2019 about raising it, according to GoBankingRates.
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