Will the inflation-adjusted US federal minimum wage reach $15 per hour in any month before the end of 2030?

The Real $15 Fight

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 (simulated late 2025 context), and its inflation-adjusted peak was around $10.28 (in 1963). While new legislation like the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 aims to raise the nominal wage to $17 by 2030, this prediction hinges on the inflation-adjusted value reaching $15. The slight 'No' majority reflects the persistent nature of inflation, which erodes the nominal increase. For the real value to hit $15 by 2030, the nominal wage would need to reach well over $20, a political hurdle deemed too high, making the achievement of the inflation-adjusted goal before the end of 2030 unlikely.