It’s the least amount an employer is required to pay an hourly worker under federal law.
A new survey shows – to no surprise – that American workers who earn it are pessimistic about their jobs, their finances and their futures.
President Obama announced in his 2013 State of the Union Address in January that he wants to increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 – also North Carolina’s minimum wage – to $9 an hour.
It would be the first increase in the figure since 2009, which at the time was the third straight year the wage received a positive boost.
The Star asked its Facebook fans for their reaction to a possible change in minimum wage.
Several readers voiced simple approval of a higher wage, while others noted benefits of better salaries but also pitfalls that would accompany it. That included an argument that businesses would raise prices to make up for the wage increases.
Here’s a look at how The Star’s Facebook fans responded to the possibility of an increase in the federal minimum wage:
“$9 at some stages is too much. Teenagers don’t need that type of money.”
“If minimum wage is increased, businesses will raise their prices to cover that. So I wouldn’t get excited about $9. And if the prices of things don’t increase, then the jobless rate would rise further due to companies hiring less people as possible while working who they do hire to the point of not being worth $9.”
“Time for server pay to increase, too. Please.”
“Economic growth would be the result.”
“It would be great for minimum wage to be raised, but prices of everything else is going up too then. We never win.”
“I would be glad if minimum wage went up. Making minimum wage and trying to pay bills is hard. ... Anyone making less than minimum wage would obviously get bumped up to at least that. That’s why its called minimum wage.”
Amber Nicole Hawkins
Minimum wage history
A look at changes in the minimum wage rate
1938 – 25 cents
1939 – 30 cents
1945 – 40 cents
1950 – 75 cents
1956 -- $1
1961 -- $1.15
1963 -- $1.25
1967 -- $1.40
1968 -- $1.60
1974 -- $2
1975 -- $2.10
1976 -- $2.30
1978 -- $2.65
1979 -- $2.90
1980 -- $3.10
1981 -- $3.35
1990 -- $3.80
1991 -- $4.25
1996 -- $4.75
1997 -- $5.15
2007 -- $5.85
2008 -- $6.55
2009 -- $7.25
Source: US Department of Labor
Who are minimum wage workers?
* 3.8 million US workers with wages at or below the federal minimum wage
Which hourly workers are earning the federal minimum wage or less?
* About half are under the age of 25
* 6 percent of women, 4 percent of men
* 5 percent of whites, 6 percent of blacks, 5 percent of Hispanics, 3 percent of Asians
* About 6 in 10 workers are in service occupations, mostly food preparation and serving-related jobs
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
What are low-wage workers’ concerns?
67 percent – low-wage workers who said they saw little or no opportunity for advancement
41 percent – low-wage workers at the same place for more than a decade who reported receiving a promotion
65 percent – jobs the US has added since 2009 classified as low-wage
74 percent – low-wage workers who say it’s difficult for their families to make financial ends meet
54 percent – low-wage workers who say they’re afraid they’ll lose their job
74 percent – low-wage workers who say they’re satisfied with their job
Source: Associated Press, NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey of employers and employees
Top five low-wage job industries
Including percentage of industry jobs that are low-wage
Food service (57.4)
Retail trade (36.5)
Arts, entertainment, recreation (34.2)
Administrative services (33.2)
* These industries grew at or above the total US employment growth from 2010-12
Top US low-wage employers
US companies with the highest numbers of low-wage employees include national and international companies with business operations in Cleveland County, including Walmart, Yum! Brands Inc. (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC), McDonald’s, Doctor’s Associates Inc. (Subway), Burger King Holdings Inc., The Wendy’s Company, Dollar Tree Inc., Dollar General Corp., Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., Sodexo S.A., Domino’s Pizza Inc., Jack in the Box Inc., Denny’s Corporation, Ruby Tuesday, Big Lots Inc. and others
Source: National Employment Law Project, a national advocacy organization for employment rights of lower-wage workers
What are state rates?
The highest and lowest state minimum wage rates compared, including North Carolina
$9.19 – Washington state
$8.95 – Oregon
$8.60 – Vermont
$8.25 – District of Columbia, Illinois, Connecticut
$8 – Massachusetts, California
$7.25 – North Carolina
$7.25 – South Carolina
$6.25 -- Arkansas
$6.15 – Minnesota
$5.15 -- Georgia
$5.15 – Wyoming
Source: US Department of Labor