federal minimum wage
Definition
The minimum hourly wage rate established by the U.S. federal government that private employers must pay covered workers, currently set at $7.25 per hour since 2009.
A baseline labor standard under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designed to ensure a minimum level of earning power for non-exempt employees nationwide, though many states have higher minimums.
Examples
After a decade of loyalty, Sarah's boss bumped her up from the federal minimum wage – now she can splurge on generic-brand coffee.
Politicians argue endlessly over raising the federal minimum wage, while their expense accounts laugh in the background.
Dream job alert: entry-level gig paying exactly the federal minimum wage, with the thrill of overtime if you're lucky.
The federal minimum wage is like economy class on a flight to financial stability – cramped, outdated, and everyone wishes for an upgrade.