Every employer shall pay to each of his employees (other than an employee to whom subsection (a)(5) [1] applies) who in any workweek is engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce, or is employed in an enterprise engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce, and who in such workweek is brought within the purview of this section by the amendments made to this chapter by the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 [20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.], or the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1974, wages at the following rate: Effective after December 31, 1977, not less than the minimum wage rate in effect under subsection (a)(1).
29 U.S. Code § 206 - Minimum wage
Subsection (a)(5), referred to in subsec. (b), was redesignated subsec. (a)(4) of this section by Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, § 8103(c)(1)(B), May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 189.
The Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 89–601, Sept. 23, 1966, 80 Stat. 830. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1966 Amendment note set out under section 201 of this title and Tables.
The Education Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 92–318, June 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 235. Title IX of the Act, known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, is classified principally to chapter 38 (§ 1681 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of title IX to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1681 of Title 20 and Tables.
The Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 93–259, Apr. 8, 1974, 88 Stat. 55. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1974 Amendment note set out under section 201 of this title and Tables.
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Title II of such Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 401 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.
In subsec. (e)(1), “chapter 67 of title 41” substituted for “the Service Contract Act of 1965 (41 U.S.C. 351–357)” on authority of Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854, which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
In subsec. (e)(2), “chapter 67 of title 41” substituted for “the Service Contract Act of 1965” on authority of Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854, which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
2016—Subsec. (g)(2) to (5). Pub. L. 114–187 added pars. (2) to (5) and struck out former pars. (2) to (4) which read as follows:
“(2) No employer may take any action to displace employees (including partial displacements such as reduction in hours, wages, or employment benefits) for purposes of hiring individuals at the wage authorized in paragraph (1).
“(3) Any employer who violates this subsection shall be considered to have violated section 215(a)(3) of this title.
“(4) This subsection shall only apply to an employee who has not attained the age of 20 years.”
2007—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110–28, § 8102(a), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “except as otherwise provided in this section, not less than $4.25 an hour during the period ending on September 30, 1996, not less than $4.75 an hour during the year beginning on October 1, 1996, and not less than $5.15 an hour beginning September 1, 1997;”.
Subsec. (a)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 110–28, § 8103(c)(1)(B), redesignated pars. (4) and (5) as (3) and (4), respectively, and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “if such employee is employed in American Samoa, in lieu of the rate or rates provided by this subsection or subsection (b), not less than the applicable rate established by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with recommendations of a special industry committee or committees which he shall appoint pursuant to sections 205 and 208 of this title. The minimum wage rate thus established shall not exceed the rate prescribed in paragraph (1) of this subsection;”.
1996—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 104–188, § 2104(b), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “except as otherwise provided in this section, not less than $3.35 an hour during the period ending March 31, 1990, not less than $3.80 an hour during the year beginning April 1, 1990, and not less than $4.25 an hour after March 31, 1991;”.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–188, § 2104(c), struck out subsec. (c) which related to employees in Puerto Rico.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–188, § 2105(c), added subsec. (g).
1989—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–157, § 2, amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “not less than $2.65 an hour during the year beginning January 1, 1978, not less than $2.90 an hour during the year beginning January 1, 1979, not less than $3.10 an hour during the year beginning January 1, 1980, and not less than $3.35 an hour after December 31, 1980, except as otherwise provided in this section;”.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 101–157, § 4(b)(1), substituted “pursuant to sections 205 and 208 of this title” for “in the same manner and pursuant to the same provisions as are applicable to the special industry committees provided for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands by this chapter as amended from time to time. Each such committee shall have the same powers and duties and shall apply the same standards with respect to the application of the provisions of this chapter to employees employed in American Samoa as pertain to special industry committees established under section 205 of this title with respect to employees employed in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands”.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–157, § 4(b)(2), amended subsec. (c) generally, substituting provisions relating to the application of wage rates under subsec. (a)(1) to employees in Puerto Rico for provisions relating to the superseding of subsec. (a)(1) wage rates by wage orders of a special industry committee for employees in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 101–239 substituted “209(a)(6)” for “209(g)”.
1977—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 95–151, § 2(a), substituted “not less than $2.65 an hour during the year beginning January 1, 1978, not less than $2.90 an hour during the year beginning January 1, 1979, not less than $3.10 an hour during the year beginning January 1, 1980, and not less than $3.35 an hour after December 1, 1980” for “not less than $2 an hour during the period ending December 31, 1974, not less than $2.10 an hour during the year beginning January 1, 1975, and not less than $2.30 an hour after December 31, 1975”.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 95–151, § 2(b), substituted provisions for a minimum wage rate of not less than the minimum wage rate in effect under par. (1) after Dec. 31, 1977, for provisions for a minimum wage rate of not less than $1.60 an hour during the period ending Dec. 31, 1974, $1.80 an hour during the year beginning Jan. 1, 1975, $2 an hour during the year beginning Jan. 1, 1976, $2.20 an hour during the year beginning Jan. 1, 1977, and $2.30 an hour after Dec. 31, 1977.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–151, § 2(c), substituted provisions for a minimum wage rate, effective after Dec. 31, 1977, of not less than the minimum wage rate in effect under subsec. (a)(1) of this section, for provisions for a minimum wage rate of not less than $1.90 an hour during the period ending Dec. 31, 1974, not less than $2 an hour during the year beginning Jan. 1, 1975, not less than $2.20 an hour during the year beginning Jan. 1, 1976, and not less than $2.30 an hour after Dec. 31, 1976.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 95–151, § 2(d)(2)(A), inserted “(A)” before “heretofore” and cl. (B), and substituted “subsection (a)(1)” for “subsections (a) and (b)”.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 95–151, § 2(d)(1), added par. (2). Former par. (2), relating to applicability, etc., of wage rate orders effective on the effective date of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1974, and effective on the first day of the second and each subsequent year after such date, was struck out.
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 95–151, § 2(d)(1), (2)(B), (C), redesignated par. (5) as (3) and substituted references to subsec. (a)(1) of this section, for references to subsec. (a) or (b) of this section. Former par. (3), relating to appointment of a special industry committee for recommendations with respect to highest minimum wage rates for employees employed in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands subject to the amendments to this chapter by the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1974, was struck out.
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 95–151, § 2(d)(1), (2)(B), (D), redesignated par. (6) as (4) and struck out “or (3)” after “(2)”. Former par. (4), relating to wage rates of employees in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands subject to the former provisions of subsec. (c)(2)(A) or (3) of this section, was struck out.
Subsec. (c)(5), (6). Pub. L. 95–151, § 2(d)(2)(B), redesignated pars. (5) and (6) as (3) and (4), respectively.
1974—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 93–259, § 2, substituted “not less than $2 an hour during the period ending December 31, 1974, not less than $2.10 an hour during the year beginning January 1, 1975, and not less than $2.30 an hour after December 31, 1975” for “not less than $1.40 an hour during the first year from the effective date of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966 and not less than $1.60 an hour thereafter”.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 93–259, § 4, substituted provisions for a minimum wage rate not less than: $1.60 an hour during period ending Dec. 31, 1974; $1.80, $2, and $2.20 an hour during years beginning Jan. 1, 1975, 1976, and 1977, respectively; and $2.30 an hour after Dec. 31, 1977 for former provisions for a minimum wage rate not less than $1 an hour during first year from the effective date of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966, not less than $1.15 an hour during second year from such date, and not less than $1.30 an hour thereafter.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93–259, § 3, inserted references to “title II of the Education Amendments of 1972” and “Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1974” and substituted provisions for a minimum wage rate not less than $1.90 an hour during period ending Dec. 31, 1974; $2 and $2.20 an hour during years beginning Jan. 1, 1975, and 1976, respectively; and $2.30 an hour after Dec. 31, 1976 for former provisions for a minimum wage rate not less than: $1 an hour during first year from effective date of Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966; $1.15, $1.30, and $1.45 an hour during second, third, and fourth years from such date; and $1.60 an hour thereafter.
Subsec. (c)(2) to (6). Pub. L. 93–259, § 5(b), added pars. (2) to (6) and struck out former pars. (2) to (4) which had provided:
“(2) In the case of any such employee who is covered by such a wage order and to whom the rate or rates prescribed by subsection (a) would otherwise apply, the following rates shall apply:
“(A) The rate or rates applicable under the most recent wage order issued by the Secretary prior to the effective date of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966, increased by 12 per centum, unless such rate or rates are superseded by the rate or rates prescribed in a wage order issued by the Secretary pursuant to the recommendations of a review committee appointed under paragraph (C). Such rate or rates shall become effective sixty days after the effective date of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966 or one year from the effective date of the most recent wage order applicable to such employee therefore issued by the Secretary pursuant to the recommendations of a special industry committee appointed under section 205 of this title, whichever is later.
“(B) Beginning one year after the applicable effective date under paragraph (A), not less than the rate or rates prescribed by paragraph (A), increased by an amount equal to 16 per centum of the rate or rates applicable under the most recent wage order issued by the Secretary prior to the effective date of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966, unless such rate or rates are superseded by the rate or rates prescribed in a wage order issued by the Secretary pursuant to the recommendations of a review committee appointed under paragraph (C).
“(C) Any employer, or group of employers, employing a majority of the employees in an industry in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, may apply to the Secretary in writing for the appointment of a review committee to recommend the minimum rate or rates to be paid such employees in lieu of the rate or rates provided by paragraph (A) or (B). Any such application with respect to any rate or rates provided for under paragraph (A) shall be filed within sixty days following the enactment of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966 and any such application with respect to any rate or rates provided for under paragraph (B) shall be filed not more than one hundred and twenty days and not less than sixty days prior to the effective date of the applicable rate or rates under paragraph (B). The Secretary shall promptly consider such application and may appoint a review committee if he has reasonable cause to believe, on the basis of financial and other information contained in the application, that compliance with any applicable rate or rates prescribed by paragraph (A) or (B) will substantially curtail employment in such industry. The Secretary’s decision upon any such application shall be final. Any wage order issued pursuant to the recommendations of a review committee appointed under this paragraph shall take effect on the applicable effective date provided in paragraph (A) or (B).
“(D) In the event a wage order has not been issued pursuant to the recommendation of a review committee prior to the applicable effective date under paragraph (A) or (B), the applicable percentage increase provided by any such paragraph shall take effect on the effective date prescribed therein, except with respect to the employees of an employer who filed an application under paragraph (C) and who files with the Secretary an undertaking with a surety or sureties satisfactory to the Secretary for payment to his employees of an amount sufficient to compensate such employees for the difference between the wages they actually receive and the wages to which they are entitled under this subsection. The Secretary shall be empowered to enforce such undertaking and any sums recovered by him shall be held on a special deposit account and shall be paid, on order of the Secretary, directly to the employee or employees affected. Any such sum not paid to an employee because of inability to do so within a period of three years shall be covered into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.
“(3) In the case of any such employee to whom subsection (a)(5) or subsection (b) would otherwise apply, the Secretary shall within sixty days after the effective date of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966 appoint a special industry committee in accordance with section 205 of this title to recommend the highest minimum wage rate or rates in accordance with the standards prescribed by section 208 of this title, but not in excess of the applicable rate provided by subsection (a)(5) or subsection (b), to be applicable to such employee in lieu of the rate or rates prescribed by subsection (a)(5) or subsection (b), as the case may be. The rate or rates recommended by the special industry committee shall be effective with respect to such employee upon the effective date of the wage order issued pursuant to such recommendation but not before sixty days after the effective date of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966.
“(4) The provisions of sections 205 and 208 of this title, relating to special industry committees, shall be applicable to review committees appointed under this subsection. The appointment of a review committee shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any special industry committee required to be appointed pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of section 208 of this title, except that no special industry committee shall hold any hearing within one year after a minimum wage rate or rates for such industry shall have been recommended to the Secretary by a review committee to be paid in lieu of the rate or rates provided for under paragraph (A) or (B). The minimum wage rate or rates prescribed by this subsection shall be in effect only for so long as and insofar as such minimum wage rate or rates have not been superseded by a wage order fixing a higher minimum wage rate or rates (but not in excess of the applicable rate prescribed in subsection (a) or subsection (b)) hereafter issued by the Secretary pursuant to the recommendation of a special industry committee.”
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 93–259, § 7(b)(1), added subsec. (f).
1966—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–601, § 301(a), inserted “, or is employed in an enterprise engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce,” in opening provisions.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 89–601, § 301(a), raised minimum wage to not less than $1.40 an hour during first year from the effective date of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966, and not less than $1.60 thereafter, except as otherwise provided in this section.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 89–601, § 301(b), added par. (4).
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 89–601, § 302, added par. (5).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–601, § 303, substituted provisions for a minimum wage for employees covered for first time by the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966 (other than newly covered agricultural employees) at not less than $1 an hour during first year from the effective date of the 1966 amendments, not less than $1.15 an hour during second year from such date, not less than $1.30 an hour during third year from such date, not less than $1.45 an hour during fourth year from such date, and not less than $1.60 an hour thereafter, for provisions setting a timetable for increases in the minimum wage of employees first covered by the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1961.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–601, § 304, provided for a percentage minimum wage increase for employees in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands who are covered by wage orders already in effect as the equivalent of the percentage increase on the mainland, provided for minimum wages for employees brought within coverage of this chapter for the first time by the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966 at rates to be set by special industry committees so as to reach as rapidly as is economically feasible without substantially curtailing employment the objectives of the minimum wage prescribed for mainland employees, and eliminated the review committees that has been established by the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1961.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 89–601, § 305, added subsec. (e).
1963—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 88–38 added subsec. (d).
1961—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–30, § 5(a)(1), inserted “in any workweek” in opening provisions.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 87–30, § 5(a)(2), increased minimum wage from not less than $1 an hour to not less than $1.15 an hour during first two years from the effective date of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1961, and not less than $1.25 an hour thereafter.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 87–30, § 5(a)(3), inserted “in lieu of the rate or rates provided by this subsection or subsection (b)” and “as amended from time to time” and struck out “now” before “applicable to”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 87–30, § 5(b), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) had provided that “This section shall take effect upon the expiration of one hundred and twenty days from June 25, 1938.”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 87–30, § 5(c), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) had provided for wage orders recommended by special industrial committees and covering employees in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to supersede minimum wages of $1 an hour and for continuance of wage orders in effect prior to effective date of this chapter until superseded by wage orders recommended by the special industrial committees.
1956—Subsec. (a)(3). Act Aug. 8, 1956, added par. (3).
1955—Subsec. (a)(1). Act Aug. 12, 1955, increased minimum wage from not less than 75 cents an hour to not less than $1 an hour.
1949—Subsec. (a). Act Oct. 26, 1949, § 6(a), (b), struck out subpars. (1), (2), (3), and (4), inserted subpar. (1) fixing the minimum wage rate at not less than 75 cents an hour, and redesignated subpar. (5) as (2).
Subsec. (c). Act Oct. 26, 1949, § 6(c), continued existing minimum wage rates in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands until superseded by special industry committee wage orders.
1940—Subsec. (a)(5). Act June 26, 1940, added par. (5).
Pub. L. 114–61, § 1(c), Oct. 7, 2015, 129 Stat. 546, provided that:
Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, § 8102(b), May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 188, provided that:
Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, § 8103(c)(2), May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 189, provided that:
Amendment by Pub. L. 95–151 effective Jan. 1, 1978, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 95–151, set out as a note under section 203 of this title.
Amendment by sections 2 to 4 and 7(b)(1) of Pub. L. 93–259 effective May 1, 1974, see section 29(a) of Pub. L. 93–259, set out as a note under section 202 of this title.
Pub. L. 93–259, § 5(b), Apr. 8, 1974, 88 Stat. 56, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Apr. 8, 1974.
Amendment by Pub. L. 89–601 effective Feb. 1, 1967, except as otherwise provided, see section 602 of Pub. L. 89–601, set out as a note under section 203 of this title.
Pub. L. 88–38, § 4, June 10, 1963, 77 Stat. 57, provided that:
Amendment by Pub. L. 87–30 effective upon expiration of one hundred and twenty days after May 5, 1961, except as otherwise provided, see section 14 of Pub. L. 87–30, set out as a note under section 203 of this title.
Act Aug. 12, 1955, ch. 867, § 3, 69 Stat. 711, provided that the amendment made by section 3 is effective Mar. 1, 1956.
Amendment by act Oct. 26, 1949, effective ninety days after Oct. 26, 1949, see section 16(a) of act Oct. 26, 1949, set out as a note under section 202 of this title.
Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, § 8103(a), (b), May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 188, 189, as amended by Pub. L. 111–117, div. D, title V, § 520, Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3283; Pub. L. 111–244, § 2(a), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2618; Pub. L. 112–149, § 4(a), July 26, 2012, 126 Stat. 1145; Pub. L. 113–34, § 2, Sept. 18, 2013, 127 Stat. 518; Pub. L. 114–61, § 1(a), Oct. 7, 2015, 129 Stat. 545, provided that:
Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, § 8104, May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 189, as amended by Pub. L. 111–5, div. A, title VIII, § 802(a), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 186; Pub. L. 111–244, § 2(b), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2618; Pub. L. 112–149, § 4(b), July 26, 2012, 126 Stat. 1145; Pub. L. 114–61, § 1(b), Oct. 7, 2015, 129 Stat. 545, provided that:
[Pub. L. 111–5, div. A, title VIII, § 802(b), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 187, provided that:
Pub. L. 101–157, § 6, Nov. 17, 1989, 103 Stat. 941, provided that:
Certain public agencies not to be liable for violations of this section occurring before Apr. 15, 1986, with respect to services deemed by that agency to have been performed for it by an individual on a voluntary basis, see section 4(c) of Pub. L. 99–150, set out as a note under section 203 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–150 not to affect liability of certain public agencies under section 216 of this title for violation of this section occurring before Apr. 15, 1986, see section 7 of Pub. L. 99–150, set out as a note under section 216 of this title.
Pursuant to section 503(c) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands with the United States of America, as set forth in Pub. L. 94–241, Mar. 24, 1976, 90 Stat. 263, set out as a note under section 1801 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions, this section is inapplicable to the Northern Mariana Islands.
Secretary authorized to promulgate necessary rules, regulations, or orders on and after the date of the enactment of Pub. L. 89–601, Sept. 23, 1966, with regard to the amendments made by Pub. L. 89–601, see section 602 of Pub. L. 89–601, set out as a note under section 203 of this title.
Pub. L. 88–38, § 2, June 10, 1963, 77 Stat. 56, provided that:
The term “Administrator” as meaning the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, see section 204 of this title.
Functions relating to enforcement and administration of equal pay provisions vested by this section in Secretary of Labor and Administrator of Wage and Hour Division of Department of Labor transferred to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1978, § 1, 43 F.R. 19807, 92 Stat. 3781, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, effective Jan. 1, 1979, as provided by section 1–101 of Ex. Ord. No. 12106, Dec. 28, 1978, 44 F.R. 1053.
Functions of all other officers of Department of Labor and functions of all agencies and employees of that Department, with exception of functions vested by Administrative Procedure Act (now covered by sections 551 et seq. and 701 et seq. of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees) in hearing examiners employed by Department, transferred to Secretary of Labor, with power vested in him to authorize their performance or performance of any of his functions by any of those officers, agencies, and employees, by Reorg. Plan No. 6 of 1950, §§ 1, 2, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1263, set out in the Appendix to Title 5.