It’s been 16 years since the last increase to the federal minimum wage, which remains frozen at $7.25 an hour—a rate unchanged since July 24, 2009. That amounts to just over $15,000 a year for full-time workers, well below the cost of living in most parts of the U.S, according to CFO Dive.
While federal rates have remained stagnant, much of the country has moved forward. As of July 1, thirty states and four U.S. territories have adopted higher minimum wages, with hourly rates ranging from $8.75 in West Virginia to $17.95 in Washington, D.C.
The long-standing effort to raise the wage floor has gained support from both worker-led movements, like the Fight for $15 campaign, and some business groups. Advocates argue that higher wages support consumer spending, reduce employee turnover, and improve productivity.
Still, the push for a federal wage increase faces opposition. National business lobbies, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Restaurant Association, argue that raising the wage nationwide could lead to job losses and drive up prices.
As debates continue in Congress, millions of low-wage workers in states tied to the federal rate remain without a raise—and without a timeline for change.
