1 entry tagged minimum wage. All writing.
WORLD · OCTOBER 7, 2026 The Minimum Wage: What It Was For, What It Buys Now, and Whether a Fast-Food Job Should Pay a Living A standing page on the US minimum wage, refreshed as the numbers move. The 1938 law's 25 cents is about $5.92 in today's money, yet it was roughly 40% of the average factory wage while $7.25 is about 19% of average pay now. As of October 7, 2026, California's fast-food floor is $20 and its general floor rises to $17.40 on January 1.