---
title: "US federal minimum wage"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, \"Minimum Wage\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: career
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Minimum Wage"
    publisher: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
    url: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# US federal minimum wage

## Summary
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, in effect since July 24, 2009, under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Many states set higher minimums; employers must follow both.

> **General information, not legal advice. State laws may give more protection; check your state labor department.**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, effective July 24, 2009.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F2
  claim: Federal minimum wage rules are in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F3
  claim: Many states have their own minimum wage laws; when both apply, employers must comply with both.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F4
  claim: The FLSA does not provide a way to collect promised wages above its required minimums, though some state laws do.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F5
  claim: Wage and Hour Division help line: 1-866-487-9243.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0

## Pointers
- answers: Full official guidance beyond this summary
  where: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage
  access: open, no account