Federal Minimum Wage

Federal minimum wage increases to $7.25 effective July 24, 2009

From July 24, 2008 thru July 23, 2009, the Federal minimum wage was $6.55

From July 24, 2007 to July 23, 2008, the Federal minimum wage was $5.85

Here is the Federal Dept of Labor’s Q and A page about the Federal minimum wage

NOTE: Missouri has a different Minimum Wage. See Tim’s Missouri Minimum Wage page.

The minimum wage is a political football for some reason. The Democratic majority (since Nov 2006) in Congress got a Federal minimum wage increase passed. The last time the Federal minimum wage increased was under the administration of Democrat Bill Clinton. In Missouri, our minimum wage is increasing due to a citizen referendum, not by action of our legislature.

How can Missouri have a different minimum wage than the Federal minimum wage?

First, the minimum wage laws of the Federal Government allow the states to set a higher minimum wage.

Second, many businesses are not covered by the Federal minimum wage law, because they are too small or do not “affect interstate commerce”. In those instances, the only law that will regulate minimum wage is Missouri’s law.

LINKS:

US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. This is where you can get some info about who is covered by the minimum wage and overtime laws.

US Department of Labor minimum wage info page

Missouri Department of Labor minimum wage info page