I learned that the first minimum wage was extremely low in HR

[o2bnocn]

Back when I was still in college, I started taking HR classes. I was actually getting a minor in HR. I learned in the Human Resource class that the first minimum wage was extremely low. I can't really remember the exact number but I know it was lower than a $1.00 an hour. Thoughts? Thought it was interesting to learn.

[linderlizzie]

I looked it up. When the federal minimum wage first became law in 1938, it was 25 cents. Adjusted for inflation, that would be worth $4.19 today.

Currently, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (part of the Fair Labor Standards Act) and some states and cities have raised their minimum wage even higher than that. So it's $8.25 in my state now which seems fine to me.

[madeara]

My state is trying to raise the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour by next year.  I live in Maryland.

[sfreeman8]

I started working for "the candy man" at an farmer's market and auction, waiting on customers. I made $1/hour for  6 hours on Thursday and Sunday afternoon.  That was good for me since I was still in high school, plus over the Christmas holidays my dad had gotten me a job (my birthday present) at the local 5 and 10 cent store at $1.25 an hour for 2 weeks working 4 hours every day after school and Saturday until Christmas.

My last "brick and mortar" job was $6.25/hour plus profit sharing, health insurance, and pension when minimum wage was $4.25/hour.  That was a great benefit package.

Today, working at a tire shop just changing tires gets $10/hour. The local fast food places pay the minimum or slightly above already for the teenagers who don't even know how to give you the correct order or count change without the cash register. Do they deserve $10 or above? I don't think so. Their job is the first step in gaining experience in the job market, understanding team work and learning how to take orders and criticism. Without those steps, they would be lost in the real world.

 

[o2bnocn]

My state is trying to raise the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour by next year.  I live in Maryland.

Wow, I live in Virginia and ours is around $7.34. I don't see it being raised anytime soon.

[oldbuddy]

Oregon is right on the edge of pushing it to $15 too.