U.S. workers paid minimum wage 1979-2023, by gender

Published by Statista Research Department, Jan 7, 2025

In 2023, there were about 29,000 male workers and 51,000 female workers in the United States receiving hourly rates at the federal minimum wage. For both, this is a significant decrease from the previous year.

Number of workers paid hourly rates at the federal minimum wage in the United States from 1979 to 2023, by gender (in thousands)

CharacteristicMenWomen
2023 29 51
2022 42 100
2021 87 94
2020 111 136
2019 125 268
2018 168 267
2017 226 316
2016 270 432
2015 330 540
2014 516 739
2013 622 910
2012 567 999
2011 648 1,029
Showing entries 1 to 13 (45 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Number of workers in thousandsMenWomen197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
05001,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,500

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Release date

August 2024

Region

United States

Survey time period

1979 to 2023

Age group

16 years and over

Supplementary notes

The prevailing Federal minimum wage was $2.90 in 1979, $3.10 in 1980, and $3.35 in 1981–89. The minimum wage rose to $3.80 in April 1990, to $4.25 in April 1991, to $4.75 in October 1996, to $5.15 in September 1997, to $5.85 in July 2007, to $6.55 in July 2008, and to $7.25 in July 2009. 

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