After the longest period in history without an increase, the federal minimum wage today is worth 21% less than 12 years ago—and 34% less than in 1968. : Real value of the minimum wage (adjusted for inflation)

Notes: All values are in June 2021 dollars, adjusted using the CPI-U-RS
Source: Reproduced from Ben Zipperer, “The Minimum Wage Has Lost 21% Of Its Value Since Congress Last Raised the Wage,” Working Economics Blog, Economic Policy Institute, July 22, 2021. Data sources are Fair Labor Standards Act and amendments.