1981 United States Minimum Wage in Today's Dollars
Amount
$
From
To
In the year 1981, the United States minimum wage was $3.35.
This is equivalent to $11.91 in 2024 dollars.
Note: We determine the value of a dollar using the Consumer Price Index from December of the previous year.
Has minimum wage kept up with increases in the cost of living?
Here's how much the 1981 minimum wage of $3.35 would be worth over time, compared to the actual minimum wage from that year.
Year | Inflation-adjusted | Actual |
---|---|---|
2024 | $11.91 | $7.25 |
2023 | $11.52 | $7.25 |
2022 | $10.82 | $7.25 |
2021 | $10.11 | $7.25 |
2020 | $9.98 | $7.25 |
2019 | $9.75 | $7.25 |
2018 | $9.57 | $7.25 |
2017 | $9.37 | $7.25 |
2016 | $9.18 | $7.25 |
2015 | $9.11 | $7.25 |
2014 | $9.05 | $7.25 |
2013 | $8.91 | $7.25 |
2012 | $8.76 | $7.25 |
2011 | $8.51 | $7.25 |
2010 | $8.38 | $7.25 |
2009 | $8.16 | $7.25 |
2008 | $8.15 | $6.55 |
2007 | $7.83 | $5.85 |
2006 | $7.64 | $5.15 |
2005 | $7.39 | $5.15 |
2004 | $7.15 | $5.15 |
2003 | $7.02 | $5.15 |
2002 | $6.86 | $5.15 |
2001 | $6.75 | $5.15 |
2000 | $6.53 | $5.15 |
1999 | $6.36 | $5.15 |
1998 | $6.26 | $5.15 |
1997 | $6.16 | $5.15 |
1996 | $5.96 | $4.75 |
1995 | $5.81 | $4.25 |
1994 | $5.66 | $4.25 |
1993 | $5.51 | $4.25 |
1992 | $5.35 | $4.25 |
1991 | $5.19 | $4.25 |
1990 | $4.89 | $3.80 |
1989 | $4.68 | $3.35 |
1988 | $4.48 | $3.35 |
1987 | $4.29 | $3.35 |
1986 | $4.24 | $3.35 |
1985 | $4.09 | $3.35 |
1984 | $3.93 | $3.35 |
1983 | $3.79 | $3.35 |
1982 | $3.65 | $3.35 |
1981 | $3.35 | $3.35 |