Working Minimum Wage

Minimum Wage Increased in 23 States in 2022 – What Would You Make Today?

The new year saw minimum wage hikes in 23 states and Washington, DC. This wage hike is considered a shot in the arm for many essential and frontline workers who have no choice but to risk their health working with the public to make a living.

A Short History of Minimum Wages Increases

It has been 13 years since Congress last raised the federal minimum wage.

Back in 2021, the largest increase was seen in New Mexico. A $1.50 hike to the state’s hourly minimum rate will increase to $10.50/hour. Increases of $1 an hour were added in Arkansas, California, Illinois, and New Jersey. Many states saw lower wage increases; Alaska, Maine, and South Dakota bumped their rate by only 0.15 cents an hour. Minnesota raised their rate a mere 8 cents to $10.08 an hour.

Michigan is raising the hourly minimum wage by a mere 23 cents—the least of all states that rose last year—whereas Nebraska boasts the most significant hike at $1.50 per hour.

Additional increases will occur in cities and several states, with most advances taking force on July 1.

2023 Minimum Wage Calculator for Any State

If you wonder what you would earn working at a starting wage, we have this neat calculator for you. Just fill in the blanks; the calculated result reveals your gross earnings. Of course, this does not account for taxes and Social Security. Thinking of moving and wanting to move to a new state? Check out the results in multiple states and see the results. You may be surprised.



What is the Current Federal Minimum Wage in 2023?

U.S. Money - Minimum Wage

What is the Federal Minimum Wage in 2023?

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. This minimum hourly wage was last changed in 2008 when it was raised by $0.70 from $6.55 to $7.25.

Who is paid the Federal Minimum Wage?

The Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25 per hour is the minimum hourly pay any non-exempt worker in the U.S. can be paid for his work. The Federal Minimum Wage is applied nationally and cancels any state laws that give a lower wage rate to ensure that the local minimum wage in all states is at least $7.25 per hour.

Can an employee be paid lower than the Federal Minimum Wage?

Federal employers may not pay you under $7.25 per hour unless you or your job is explicitly excluded from the minimum wage under state or federal law.

Does working a minimum wage job count toward Social Security?

Even working a starting wage job, you’re also earning credits for Social Security for disability or retirement. A person needs a minimum of 10 years of work to qualify for a social security benefit. You can check your Social Security benefits online.

Will the Minimum Wage be increased in 2023?

President Biden has proposed a $15-an-hour federal starting wage. This proposal would require action by Congress. The proposal would increase the wage to $9.50 an hour when the bill is signed into law. Then gradually increase annually until it reaches $15 an hour. So far nothing has happened.

History of the United States Minimum Wage

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed America’s first federal wage into law in 1938. The rate was $0.25 per hour. In 1950 the minimum wage had risen to $0.75 per hour. By 1968 it was $1.60 per hour. The rate was frozen at $3.35 per hour from January 1981 to April 1990. In 1997 it was $5.15 per hour. In 2009 the wage was raised to $7.25, where it remains to this day.

The Living Wage Concept

Contrast this to the other term, the Living Wage. Or the wage one needs to accommodate rent, food, utilities to live. The nationwide consensus is that one would have to earn $16.40 per hour to have a living wage. This wage varies by local, and there is a great deal of interest in its establishment.

Other Workplace and Wage Reading on Thumbwind

Michigan4You Logo

Malcom Mott

Malcom Mott is our junior editor and contibrutes outside publications to various sites at Thumbwind Publications. He is also editor at AITrueReview.

View all posts by Malcom Mott →

What do you think?

Discover more from Thumbwind

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading