Minimum wage raised to $6.55 per hour

NEW YORK The national minimum wage increased to $6.55 per hour as of July 24, as part of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. The minimum wage had been $5.15 an hour since 1997.

The Minimum Wage act mandates a third increase, scheduled to take place on July 24, 2009, that will raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour. This would be the final increase under the act.