skip navigational links United States Department of Labor
May 7, 2009   
DOL Home > Frequently Asked Questions
DOL Home

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)



Question: What is the minimum wage?

Answer: The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008. The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Many states also have minimum wage laws. Where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.

Various minimum wage exceptions apply under specific circumstances to workers with disabilities, full-time students, youth under age 20 in their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment, tipped employees and student-learners.

Related Links:
Minimum Wage FAQs
Find It By Topic: Wages: Minimum Wage
Wage and Hour Division Home Page

 
 

Search FAQs

Type a keyword or phrase in the box below and hit "Go."

  

 
 

To FAQs Home To FAQs Home

 

Phone Numbers