How is minimum wage determined/set by the government?
355603
It is regulated by the Department of Labor's  Wage and Hour division.  Although most States have their own Minimum Wage laws and an employee is entitled to which ever rate is higher the state or the federal minimum wage.
1161186
all minimum wage (and below) earners
794428
Minimum wage is not the same in every state.  There are some states that have a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, as of April 2006, the minimum wage in Michigan is 5.15 per hour.
774018
I don't know anyone who works for minimum wage, but a raise in the rate will not help. The greatest misconception about minimum wage is the idea that it is a living wage. Minimum wage is not and was never intended as such. It is a benchmark rate for workers entering the system. It is assumed that the average worker will gain skills and either move up in their current company, or change positions based on their acquired experience. The reason minimum wage does not help anyone is related to economic cause and effect. If the price of labor increases then the prices of goods and services must also increase to reflect the added cost of doing business. Therefore while you make more money you will also be forced to pay higher prices thus eliminating your surplus income.
742133
Calculated in today's $$, the minimum wage was about $6.13 in 1950. In 1968, in today's dollars it was $9.12. That is not what they actually made, but the equivalent amount today. Check this link...\nhttp://oregonstate.edu/instruct/anth484/minwage.html\n\nThe minimum wage was first set in 1938\n\n"A federal minimum wage was first set in 1938..." \nPlease follow the link that was in my answer and in my source and save your "!" ... now what is the source for YOUR statement, Sir?
436787
Minimum wage workers?
134904
You can find out the minimum wage for any area in the United States at the web site listed below.\n\nHope that helps!
305728
Congress is currently considering raising the minimum wage by $1.50, from $5.15 to $6.65 per hour in three installments. Congress last enacted legislation in 1996, increasing the minimum wage by 90 cents from 1996-1997.
490542
Would everyone like to earn more money?  Sure thing, from that standpoint it sounds great.\n\nBut the problem is this, when you raise the minimum wage, prices will go up in the market, reducing the effect of the wage increase.  Job availibily will go down, because the USA will become less competitive on the international market from a price standpoint.  The same people who received the "raise" will have the highest potential to lose their job.\n\nIf you look at the minimum wage as what you're going to earn, then you need to wake up, start learning some new things, find a new way to earn, find a better job, do something different.\n\nIf you're living in the USA and making minimum wage, it's your choice, opportunity is available, you just have to pursue it everyday!!
109489
Minimum wage is $5.15 according to federal law and most states, but some states mandate higer and lower minimum wages. The Labor Department has a map comparing all state minimum wages to the federal minimum wage.
97989
check out this website www.livingwagecampaign.org and look under "setting a living wage level" and "living wage impact'
782992
There are misconceptions about the minimum wage.\nLiving wage - Minimum wage was not designed as a living wage and never will be. It is a benchmark for workers entering the system.\nIncreased cost of goods and services - Many people believe incorrectly that you can raise the minimum wage and it will help the poor or lower middle class. This is not true. Raising the minimum wage causes the cost of doing business to increase. Therefore the price of good and services will also increase thereby rendering the surplus gained from the wage increase null and void. Employers are not going to just absorb the added cost and take a hit on their profit margin.\nJob creation - When the cost of doing business goes up less new jobs are created. Employers forced to pay higher costs will require existing employees to do more while hiring less new labor force.\nSmall Business - Small businesses tend to be primary employers in the most devastated areas of society.  Many have small profit margins to begin with and when faced with higher labor costs find themselves unable to remain in business. Further less new small business is created.\n\nCan we absorb an increase in minimum wage? Yes we can. We have done it in the past, but it is frivilous to believe that there will not be consequences for this action and that the people it is designed to help will actually benefit from it. Most workers do not remain at minimum wage. They get raises or gain experience and move into other better paying positions. The simple fact is that if you have a worker who remains at minimum for years at a time, they are either unmotivated to improve their circumstance, or they change jobs often. Take exception to this statement if you will, but it is a fact none the less.
1031772
the last time the federal gov raised the minimum wage was in 1998, however, each STATE (and even local) has the ability to raise them on their own.  For example, Santa Fe has a minimum wage of $10.50 set for 2008!
276820
"The minimum wage in Missouri is $5.15 per hour. Employers must pay workers in interstate commerce the same minimum wage rate as required by federal law. Retail or service businesses with gross annual sales or business of less than $500,000 are exempt. \n\nThe minimum wage provisions in Missouri do not apply to agricultural employees or employers. In addition, executive, administrative or professional employees; volunteers; foster parents; employees covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act; camp employees; certain educational organization employees; "handymen"; persons with disabilities employed in sheltered workshops; domestics; babysitters and companions; employees covered by Part I of the Interstate Commerce Act; golf caddies and newspaper delivery persons; commissioned salespersons; federal employees; some retail or service business employees; prisoners; and local newspaper employees are not covered by the minimum wage law."
431796
It is 5.15 per hour.  Dang, I would hope you would set your sights higher than minimum.  Try waiting tables.  It pays a lot better and the hours aren't bad.\n\nIt's more complicated than the other answerer would have you believe...some states even have a minimum wage lower than the federal standard which is 5.15.  Colorado's state minimum wage , as of the beginning of April, was 5.15.  Other states have other rules.
534351
I'm not sure what minimum wage is now.
1052092
The minimum wage for oklahoma is the same amount across the states. The amount is 5.15 an hour. It was brung up to raise the minimum wage amount and the request was turned down.