They earn the minimum wage at a thankless job that is their only form of income. And that income is extremely low. The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour. That means $15,080 per year for a full-time worker. Minimum wage varies depending on the state you live in, but most states have chosen to remain at the bottom of the wage scale. Simply put, the minimum wage is too low and has been that way for far too long.