Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Economics Faculty Publications
Economic impact; Minimum wage; Unemployment; Economic theory
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Labor Relations
Economic Effects Of The Minimum Wage, Kevin F. Hallock
Economic Effects Of The Minimum Wage, Kevin F. Hallock
Economics Faculty Publications
The US minimum wage, at almost 75 years old, remains the topic of many academic studies and much policy debate despite the fact that only about 5% of hourly employees are currently paid at or below the federal minimum. There are many possible and interesting economic effects of the minimum wage. The issue that has received by far the most attention is whether increasing the minimum wage has a negative effect on employment, and if so, for whom and by how much. Economists first approach this question through the basic theory of a perfectly competitive labor market where all workers …