FACT CHECK #KIXBORHI

WHAT WE FOUND

The federal minimum wage was last increased to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009, following the 2007 amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act 1, 4, 6. High-credibility sources from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Pew Research Center confirm that this rate has not been adjusted in the years since 1, 2. While many states have independently raised their own minimum wages, the federal floor remains at the 2009 level 3, 7, 8. As of July 2026, this represents a 17-year freeze, which is the longest period without an increase in the history of the federal minimum wage 9, 10.

SOURCES

1. 1 · dol.govACADEMIC
   History of Changes to the Minimum Wage Law | U.S. Department of Labor

   TIER A

2. 2 · pewresearch.orgACADEMIC
   5 facts about the minimum wage | Pew Research Center

   TIER A

3. 3 · nelp.orgACADEMIC
   The 21 States Stuck at $7.25 - National Employment Law Project

   TIER A

4. 4 · npr.orgNEWS
   It has now been 15 years since the federal minimum wage rose to $7.25

   TIER A

5. 5 · americanprogress.orgNEWS
   It's Long Past Time To Increase the Federal Minimum Wage - Center for American Progress

   TIER A

6. 6 · en.wikipedia.orgWEB
   Minimum wage in the United States - Wikipedia

   TIER B

7. 7 · cnn.comWEB
   The US minimum wage has been $7.25 since 2009. What that means for the economy | CNN Business

   TIER B

8. 8 · cnbc.comWEB
   The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 for 15 years. How the election may change that

   TIER B

9. 9 · cato.orgWEB
   The $7.25 Minimum Wage Myth | Cato Institute

   TIER B

10. 10 · pennycalc.comWEB
    Federal Minimum Wage History (1938-2026): $0.25 to $7.25 - PennyCalc

    TIER B

THE READING