Minimum Wage

Table of Contents

Introduction
Early History of the Minimum Wage
Early Supreme Court Decisions on the Minimum Wage
State Minimum Wage Levels and Restrictions
Proposals to Raise the Federal Minimum Wage
Who Earns the Federal Minimum Wage?
Public Opinion
Pros
- Pro 1: Raising the federal minimum wage would not only allow minimum wage workers to afford basic living expenses but would also reduce income, gender, and racial inequalities.
- Pro 2: Raising the minimum wage to match inflation and productivity would benefit the economy by increasing consumer activity and spurring job growth while lowering the federal deficit.
- Pro 3: Increasing the minimum wage would have numerous social benefits including reducing poverty and crime. whileimproving school attendance and family health.
Pro Quotes
Cons
- Con 1: Raising the minimum wage would increase housing and consumer goods costs for everyone and greatly disadvantage minimum-wage workers.
- Con 2: Raising the minimum wage, instead of allowing the free market to determine an appropriate rate, decreases employee compensation, while forcing businesses to close, use automation, or outsource jobs.
- Con 3: Raising the federal minimum wage would exacerbate income disparities and the cycle of poverty.
Con Quotes
State-by-State Minimum Wage Levels
- Highlights
Subminimum Wage Bans for People with Disabilities
Discussion Questions
Take Action
Sources

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Images

Chicago protest for a higher minimum wage

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Minimum Wage: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

The Editors of ProCon
ProCon's editors write and verify new content and update existing content. ProCon presents the pro and con arguments to debatable issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan, freely accessible way.

Article History

Type	Description	Contributor	Date
	State minimum wage chart updated; addition of subminimum wage bans for people with disabilities.	The Editors of ProCon	Jan 03, 2025
	Table fixes & misc updates	The Editors of ProCon	Dec 17, 2024
	Table display edit.	The Editors of ProCon	Nov 12, 2024
	New article added.	The Editors of ProCon	Nov 08, 2024