Congress passed legislation that increases the minimum wage from $ 3.35 per hour , in steps to $ 4.25 in 1991 . Workers aged 16 - 19 may be paid a sub - minimum training wage for the first three months and longer if the employer has a formal training program . Seasonal migrant labor workers are exempt from the sub minimum which expires in 1993 . Even after the increase , full - time workers would still be short of what it takes to support one adult and one child at the poverty level . The measure takes effect Sunday. Examples of exemptions exist for some types of housing and for some small businesses .
Congress passed legislation that increases the minimum wage from $ 3.35 per hour , in steps to $ 4.25 in 1991 . Workers aged 16 - 19 may be paid a sub - minimum training wage for the first three months and longer if the employer has a formal training program . Seasonal migrant labor workers are exempt from the sub minimum which expires in 1993 . Even after the increase , full - time workers would still be short of what it takes to support one adult and one child at the poverty level . Examples of exemptions exist for some types of housing and for some small businesses .