FIGURE 4.3 Federal Minimum Wage: Level, and Relative to Wages in Manufacturing, 1938–2004

1968

1997

$5.85 current$5.85 current

$6.55 7/24/2008$6.55 7/24/2008

$7.25 7/24/2009$7.25 7/24/2009

Co

vera

ge

Ra

tio

Minimum Wage Coverage, 1938-1999year

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

0

.25

.5

.75

1

0.90

Real Minimum Wage, 1938-1999year

Real Minimum Wage ($1982-84) Coverage Weighted Minimum Wage

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

1

2

3

4

5

Eurostat. Minimum wages 2005: Major differences between EU Member States http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-NK-05-007/EN/KS-NK-05-007-EN.PDF

Eurostat. Minimum wages 2005: Major differences between EU Member States http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-NK-05-007/EN/KS-NK-05-007-EN.PDF

Eurostat. Minimum wages 2005: Major differences between EU Member States http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-NK-05-007/EN/KS-NK-05-007-EN.PDF

http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm

16 States with minimum wage rates higher than the Federal26 States with minimum wage rates equal to the Federal

6 States with no minimum wage law

2005

2 States with minimum wage below federal

http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm

32 States with minimum wage rates higher than the Federal10 States with minimum wage rates equal to the Federal

5 States with no minimum wage law

2008

3 States with minimum wage below federal

Carrington, William J., and Bruce Fallick. “Do Some Workers Have Minimum Wage Careers?” Monthly Labor Review 124 (May 2001): 17-27.

Carrington, William J., and Bruce Fallick. “Do Some Workers Have Minimum Wage Careers?” Monthly Labor Review 124 (May 2001): 17-27.