The federal minimum wage in the United States is 7.25 dollars per hour , and it has been stuck at that level since 2009.

Quick Scoop: What Is the Federal Minimum Wage?

  • The federal minimum wage is 7.25 dollars per hour under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
  • It has not increased since July 24, 2009 , which means its real buying power has eroded significantly due to inflation.
  • Many states and cities have set higher local minimum wages , and employers must pay whichever rate is highest among federal, state, and local law.

2026 context

  • In 2026 , the federal minimum wage is still 7.25 dollars per hour.
  • At the same time, 22 states and many cities have raised their own minimum wages this year, with some local rates at or above 15–17 dollars per hour.
  • Federal contractors covered by recent executive requirements have to pay a much higher hourly minimum (around the high teens per hour in 2026), which is separate from the general federal minimum wage that applies to most private employers.

How the federal minimum works (simple example)

  • If you work in a state that keeps its minimum at 7.25 and has no higher local rule, your legal minimum is 7.25 dollars per hour.
  • If your state sets its minimum at 15 dollars per hour , your boss cannot legally pay you 7.25 ; they must pay at least 15 , because the higher state minimum overrides the lower federal floor.

In practice, “federal minimum wage” is the nationwide floor , but what you actually see on your paycheck depends heavily on your state and city , which may have pushed that floor much higher.

TL;DR: The federal minimum wage is 7.25 dollars per hour in 2026 , unchanged since 2009, but many states and cities require higher pay, and employers must follow the highest applicable minimum.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.