TN 7 (12-98)
RS 01404.305 History of Federal Minimum Wage Rates Under the Fair Labor Standards Act 1938-1996
This section is a chart of the federal minimum wage.
Minimum hourly wages of workers in jobs first covered by ...
|
Effective date
|
1938 Act 1
|
1961 Amendments 2
|
1966 and Subsequent
Amendments
|
| |
|
|
Nonfarm |
Farm 3 |
| Oct 24, 1938 |
$0.25 |
|
|
|
| Oct 24, 1939 |
$0.30 |
|
|
|
| Oct 24, 1945 |
$0.40 |
|
|
|
| Jan 25, 1950 |
$0.75 |
|
|
|
| Mar 1, 1956 |
$1.00 |
|
|
|
| Sept 3, 1961 |
1.15 |
$1.00 |
|
|
| Sept 3, 1963 |
1.25 |
|
|
|
| Sept 3, 1964 |
|
1.15 |
|
|
| Sept 3, 1965 |
|
1.25 |
|
|
| Feb 1, 1967 |
1.40 |
1.40 |
$1.00 |
$1.00 |
| Feb 1, 1968 |
1.60 |
1.60 |
1.15 |
1.15 |
| Feb 1, 1969 |
|
|
1.30 |
1.30 |
| Feb 1, 1970 |
|
|
1.45 |
|
| Feb 1, 1971 |
|
|
1.60 |
|
| May 1, 1974 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
1.90 |
1.60 |
| Jan 1, 1975 |
2.10 |
2.10 |
2.00 |
1.80 |
| Jan 1, 1976 |
2.30 |
2.30 |
2.20 |
2.00 |
| Jan 1, 1977 |
|
|
2.30 |
2.20 |
|
Jan 1, 1978
|
2.68 for all covered, nonexempt workers
|
|
|
|
Jan 1, 1979
|
2.90 for all covered, nonexempt workers
|
|
|
|
Jan 1, 1980
|
3.10 for all covered, nonexempt workers
|
|
|
|
Jan 1, 1981
|
3.35 for all covered, nonexempt workers
|
|
|
|
Apr 1, 1990
|
3.80 for all covered, nonexempt workers 4
|
|
|
|
Apr 1, 1991
|
4.25 for all covered, nonexempt workers 5
|
|
|
| Oct 1, 1996 |
4.75 for all covered, nonexempt workers |
|
|
| Sep 1. 19975 |
5.15 for all covered, nonexempt workers |
|
|
| July 24,2007 |
5.85 for all covered, nonexempt workers |
|
|
| July 24,2008 |
6.55 for all covered, nonexempt workers |
|
|
| July 24,2009 |
7.25 for all covered, nonexempt workers |
|
|
1 The 1938 act was applicable generally to employees engaged in interstate commerce
or in the production of goods for interstate commerce.
2 The 1961 amendments extended coverage primarily to employees in large retail and
service trades as well as to local transit, construction, and gasoline service station
employees.
3 The 1966 amendments extended coverage to State and local government employees of
hospitals, nursing homes, and schools and to laundries, dry cleaners, and large hotels,
motels, restaurants and farms. Subsequent amendments extended coverage to the remaining
Federal, State and local government employees who were not protected in 1966, to certain
workers in retail and service trades previously exempted, and to certain domestic
workers in private household employment. However, the Supreme Court Case, National of Cities et al v. Users decided the Act's minimum wage and overtime provisions did not apply to State and
local government employees engaged in activities which are an integral part of the
traditional government services. Effective April 15, 1985, the Supreme Court decision, Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority reversed the position in National League of Cities" case and provided that the minimum
wage and overtime provision did apply to all State and local government employees.
4 The 1989 amendments provide for a subminimum wage of $3.35 per hour for 90 days for
individuals between the ages of 16 through 19 who are entering the labor market for
the first time. A second employer may also use this rate for an additional 90 days.
This does not replace the special subminimum wage authorization for students.
5A subminimum wage of $4.25 an hour is established for employees under 20 years of
age during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer