Starting July 24, 2007 the minimum wage will increase from $5.15/hr. to $5.85/hr. except in American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands which have their own transition schedules. First appearing as The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, the act was signed into law on May 25, 2007 as part of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007.
The act raises wages in three increments:
- to $5.85/hr. on July 24, 2007
- to $6.55/hr. on July 24, 2008
- to $7.25/hr. on July 24, 2009.
According to the Department of Labor (DOL), if federal and state minimum wage rates conflict, the higher standard applies. Consult DOL's Minimum Wage Laws in the States - April 30, 2007 to view state rates. For posters and further information, access DOL's minimum wage page.
