Federal Minimum Wage to Rise from $5.85 to $6.55 per Hour

By Sally A. Piefer

On July 24, 2008, the federal minimum wage will rise from $5.85 to $6.55 per hour. Employers who have gross annual sales of $500,000 or more and have two or more employees engaged in interstate commerce, producing goods for interstate commerce, or handling, selling, or working on goods or materials moved in or produced for interstate commerce must comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

However, many states also have minimum wage laws. If you are covered by both the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and your state minimum wage law, you must apply whichever law requires you to pay the employee more. If you're not covered by FLSA, then only your state's minimum wage applies -- even if it's lower than the federal rate. The current minimum wage in Wisconsin is $6.50 per hour.

Published: 07/2008