SWA2014-Wages | Table 4.39 | Value of the minimum wage, 1960–2011

Minimum wage
Current dollars 2011 dollars
1960 $1.00 $6.65
1967 1.40 8.25
1973 1.60 7.24
1979 2.90 8.38
1989 3.35 5.87
1990 3.80 6.34
1991 4.25 6.85
1996 4.75 6.78
1997 5.15 7.20
2000 5.15 6.73
2007 5.85 6.35
2008 6.55 6.84
2009 7.25 7.60
2011 7.25 7.25
Period averages
1960s $1.29 $7.91
1970s 2.07 8.02
1980s 3.33 6.92
1990s 4.53 6.70
2000s 5.57 6.46
Percent change
1979–1989 -29.9%
1989–2000 14.6
2000–2011 7.8
1967–2011 -12.1

Source: Authors' analysis of U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (2009)

Copy the code below to embed this chart on your website.

Previous chart: «

Next chart: »