<P> The minimum wage in the United States is set by US labor law and a range of state and local laws . Employers generally have to pay workers the highest minimum wage prescribed by federal , state , and local law . Since July 24 , 2009 , the federal government has mandated a nationwide minimum wage of $7.25 per hour . As of January 2017 , there were 29 states with a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum . From 2014 to 2015 , nine states increased their minimum wage levels through automatic adjustments , while increases in eleven other states occurred through referendum or legislative action . In real terms , the federal minimum wage peaked at $11.54 per hour in 1968 , using 2017 inflation - adjusted dollars . </P>
<P> The minimum wage in the United States is set by US labor law and a range of state and local laws . Employers generally have to pay workers the highest minimum wage prescribed by federal , state , and local law . Since July 24 , 2009 , the federal government has mandated a nationwide minimum wage of $7.25 per hour . As of January 2017 , there were 29 states with a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum . From 2014 to 2015 , nine states increased their minimum wage levels through automatic adjustments , while increases in eleven other states occurred through referendum or legislative action . In real terms , the federal minimum wage peaked at $11.54 per hour in 1968 , using 2017 inflation - adjusted dollars . </P>
who has authority to increase the federal minimum wage
who has authority to increase the federal minimum wage
federal , state , and local law
federal , state , and local law