Figure D
The 1963 March on Washington’s minimum wage demand would be $15 today, adjusted for inflation: Historical and projected federal minimum wages under the Raise the Wage Act of 2021, and the 1963 March on Washington demand indexed to inflation
| Year | Nominal federal minimum wage | Nominal federal minimum wage (under $15 in 2025) | 1963 March on Washington nominal min. wage projection | 1963 March on Washington nominal min. wage porjection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | $1.25 | $2.00 | ||
| 1964 | $1.25 | $2.03 | ||
| 1965 | $1.25 | $2.06 | ||
| 1966 | $1.25 | $2.12 | ||
| 1967 | $1.40 | $2.18 | ||
| 1968 | $1.60 | $2.27 | ||
| 1969 | $1.60 | $2.37 | ||
| 1970 | $1.60 | $2.48 | ||
| 1971 | $1.60 | $2.59 | ||
| 1972 | $1.60 | $2.67 | ||
| 1973 | $1.60 | $2.84 | ||
| 1974 | $2.00 | $3.12 | ||
| 1975 | $2.10 | $3.38 | ||
| 1976 | $2.30 | $3.57 | ||
| 1977 | $2.30 | $3.80 | ||
| 1978 | $2.65 | $4.06 | ||
| 1979 | $2.90 | $4.44 | ||
| 1980 | $3.10 | $4.94 | ||
| 1981 | $3.35 | $5.41 | ||
| 1982 | $3.35 | $5.74 | ||
| 1983 | $3.35 | $5.98 | ||
| 1984 | $3.35 | $6.23 | ||
| 1985 | $3.35 | $6.44 | ||
| 1986 | $3.35 | $6.56 | ||
| 1987 | $3.35 | $6.78 | ||
| 1988 | $3.35 | $7.03 | ||
| 1989 | $3.35 | $7.33 | ||
| 1990 | $3.80 | $7.69 | ||
| 1991 | $4.25 | $7.97 | ||
| 1992 | $4.25 | $8.17 | ||
| 1993 | $4.25 | $8.38 | ||
| 1994 | $4.25 | $8.55 | ||
| 1995 | $4.25 | $8.76 | ||
| 1996 | $4.75 | $8.99 | ||
| 1997 | $5.15 | $9.19 | ||
| 1998 | $5.15 | $9.31 | ||
| 1999 | $5.15 | $9.51 | ||
| 2000 | $5.15 | $9.83 | ||
| 2001 | $5.15 | $10.11 | ||
| 2002 | $5.15 | $10.27 | ||
| 2003 | $5.15 | $10.51 | ||
| 2004 | $5.15 | $10.79 | ||
| 2005 | $5.15 | $11.16 | ||
| 2006 | $5.15 | $11.52 | ||
| 2007 | $5.85 | $11.84 | ||
| 2008 | $6.55 | $12.30 | ||
| 2009 | $7.25 | $12.26 | ||
| 2010 | $7.25 | $12.46 | ||
| 2011 | $7.25 | $12.85 | ||
| 2012 | $7.25 | $13.12 | ||
| 2013 | $7.25 | $13.32 | ||
| 2014 | $7.25 | $13.54 | ||
| 2015 | $7.25 | $13.57 | ||
| 2016 | $7.25 | $13.74 | ||
| 2017 | $7.25 | $14.04 | ||
| 2018 | $7.25 | $14.38 | ||
| 2019 | $7.25 | $14.64 | ||
| 2020 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $14.82 | $14.82 |
| 2021 | $9.50 | $15.00 | ||
| 2022 | $11.00 | $15.28 | ||
| 2023 | $12.50 | $15.61 | ||
| 2024 | $14.00 | $15.96 | ||
| 2025 | $15.00 | $16.32 |
Sources: EPI analysis of the Fair Labor Standards Act and amendments, the Raise the Wage Act of 2021, and the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom minimum wage demand.
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