The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour as of 2026 — unchanged since July 24, 2009, making it the longest stretch without a federal increase in U.S. history. However, 45 states and DC have passed their own higher minimum wages that supersede the federal rate for workers in those states.
Every wage figure on this site starts from the federal floor set by law. The U.S. Department of Labor is the primary authority on that rate:
"The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Many states also have minimum wage laws."Source: U.S. Department of Labor — Minimum Wage
— U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
Federal Minimum Wage Take-Home Pay 2026
A full-time worker earning $7.25/hr for 40 hours/week earns $15,080 annually before taxes. After 2026 IRS deductions:
| Pay Period | Gross Pay | Est. Take Home | Taxes/FICA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | ~$6.70 | ~$0.55 |
| Weekly (40 hrs) | $290.00 | ~$267 | ~$23 |
| Monthly | $1,256.67 | ~$1,161 | ~$98 |
| Annual | $15,080 | ~$13,926 | ~$1,180 |
Estimates based on 2026 IRS federal tax brackets, $16,100 standard deduction (single filer), 6.2% Social Security, 1.45% Medicare. State taxes not included — check your state page for the full picture.
Why Your Take-Home Is More Than the Federal Rate
At $7.25/hr and the 2026 standard deduction of $16,100, a full-time minimum wage worker's taxable income after the standard deduction is only about $0 — meaning most federal minimum wage workers pay zero federal income tax. The deductions you do pay are Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%), totaling 7.65% of gross pay.
States Still at the Federal Minimum Wage ($7.25)
These states have not passed a higher state minimum wage and defer to the federal $7.25 rate: