MINIMUM WAGES

For your edification, I have found the minimum wage in the US over the years.  It began in 1938 and  has been changed 21 times as you will see.  I've noted some of my milestones along the way.  At first, minimum wages did not apply to every worker - only special ones desgnated by the law as written by congress.  Now, the minimum wage is for everyone.  

1938    $0.25 per hour    This was the very beginning.

1939    $0.30 per hour

1945    $0.40 per hour    This was the year I was born.  The war ended this year.

1950    $0.75 per hour

1956    $1.00 per hour    I was delivering the local paper at this time.  I didn't get that much.

1961    $1.15 per hour    I had after-school jobs at this time.

1963    $1.25 per hour    This was the year I graduated from high school.

1967    $1.40 per hour    I was working for the government and making less than this.  

1968    $1.60 per hour    I owned a home and had two kids by the end of this year.  I think I made more than the minimum.

1974    $2.00 per hour    I had four children by this year.

1975    $2.10 per hour

1976    $2.30 per hour

1978    $2.65 per hour

1979    $2.90 per hour

1980    $3.10 per hour

1981    $3.35 per hour    My kids were working in the 80's and probably getting this wage.

1990    $3.80 per hour

1991    $4.25 per hour    My youngest was working by this time.

1996    $4.75 per hour

1997    $5.15 per hour

2007    $5.85 per hour

2008    $6.55 per hour

2009    $7.25 per hour

Congress is contemplating a new increase.  Some D's have recommended a jump to $15.00 per hour.