Did You Know?

Did you ever walk into a grocery store and wonder how much a gallon of milk costed 10, 50, or even a 100 years ago? The answer is quite astonishing. Especially when we complain every day about the prices we have to pay today. But if you really think about it it really isn’t all that bad. Minimum wage in the United States has varied over the years and is set by both federal and state governments. Here’s a general overview of the federal minimum wage and the cost of milk

2022 (1 year ago): The federal minimum wage in the U.S. was $7.25 per hour. It had been at this rate since July 24, 2009. However, many states and local jurisdictions had set higher minimum wages by 2021.

The average cost of a gallon of milk in the United States was roughly between $3.00 and $3.50. Prices would vary depending on the region and the store.

2013 (10 years ago): The federal minimum wage was $7.25 per hour, the same as in 2021.

The average price of milk in the U.S. was around $3.50.

1998 (25 years ago): The federal minimum wage increased from $4.75 to $5.15 per hour on September 1, 1997. So, in 1998, it was $5.15.

The average cost of a gallon of milk was about $2.70

1973 (50 years ago): The federal minimum wage was $1.60 per hour.

The cost of milk was around $1.31 per gallon

1923 (100 years ago): The federal minimum wage did not exist in 1923. It was first established in 1938 under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at $0.25 per hour.

The price of a gallon of milk was less than $0.60.

Remember, individual states can set their own minimum wage, and many have minimum wages higher than the federal standard. The actual wage a worker might receive could vary depending on where they lived and worked.