Real and current values of the minimum wage, 1960-2007
Minimum wage Minimum wage
current dollar real $2007
1960 $1.00 $5.98
1961 1.15 6.81
1962 1.15 6.75
1963 1.25 7.24
1964 1.25 7.14
1965 1.25 7.04
1966 1.25 6.83
1967 1.40 7.43
1968 1.60 8.16
1969 1.60 7.82
1970 1.60 7.46
1971 1.60 7.14
1972 1.60 6.93
1973 1.60 6.52
1974 2.00 7.42
1975 2.10 7.19
1976 2.30 7.45
1977 2.30 7.00
1978 2.65 7.73
1979 2.90 7.72
1980 3.10 7.43
1981 3.35 7.33
1982 3.35 6.91
1983 3.35 6.63
1984 3.35 6.37
1985 3.35 6.16
1986 3.35 6.05
1987 3.35 5.85
1988 3.35 5.64
1989 3.35 5.41
1990 3.80 5.84
1991 4.25 6.31
1992 4.25 6.15
1993 4.25 6.01
1994 4.25 5.88
1995 4.25 5.74
1996 4.75 6.25
1997 5.15 6.63
1998 5.15 6.54
1999 5.15 6.41
2000 5.15 6.20
2001 5.15 6.03
2002 5.15 5.94
2003 5.15 5.81
2004 5.15 5.65
2005 5.15 5.47
2006 5.15 5.30
2007 5.85 5.85
Source: The State of Working America 2008-10 , table 3.38
Series compiled by authors and deflated using CPI-U-RS.