Question: What is the minimum wage?

Answer: The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)--see the Handy Reference Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act. The federal minimum wage is $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Many states also have minimum wage laws. Some state laws provide greater employee protections; employers must comply with both.