It is $7.25 in Iowa. In Calif. it is $8.

There's variations due to size of business and at least used to make a difference if a substantial part of the income was tips. This chart gives minimum wage by state.

I had to look it up, its $7.25 here.

Ontario, Canada Minimum Wage Rates:

Minimum Wage Rate $10.25 per hour

Student Minimum Wage $9.60 per hour

Liquor Servers Minimum Wage $8.90 per hour

Homeworker's Wage $11.28 per hour

Whatever the minimum wages currently are, they are pitiful!

Pitiful for some - better than nothing for many. Fortunately I haven't had to work for minimum wage since high school but it never bothered me then.

I live in Florida and get to see how those who earn minimum wage are treated - they work long, hard hours doing manual labor and get a measly minimum wage for it - our government leaders should be ashamed.

I understand that some people don't have a good education, but again, how can they get one when their pay is so pitiful? Again, shame on our government leaders - they should make sure every American has as much education as they want, but instead, they allow the higher education facilities to charge WAY BEYOND a reasonable fee per credit hour.

Text book fees are outrageous! I paid $140 for ONE MATH BOOK when I was in school 15 years ago - I shudder to think much that book would cost now!

How can our government leaders expect anyone to pay the fees for college, while only earning minimum wage?!

It's a catch-22 and no way to break the cycle, imho!

$8.67 in Washington state

The minimum wage was never intended to be a living wage to take care of an entire family. It was put in place to be a fair wage for entry level unskilled labor.

our illustrious University of Washington has been restricting how many in~state tuition students they admit. And next year, they will have over 30% of the freshman class being out of state students. Because the out of state students pay at least 3 times the tuition
than our in~state students. . nice! NOT!

Well, presently I would love to work for minimum wage, but not really in fast food.

After 38 years of marriage, with the last job in 1984, I don't have enough "experience" for anything. Nothing but rejections. It's pretty grim.

Moni

Moni, I worked for 32 years and now it's not lack of experience that,s keeping me out of work, but I fear my age is holding me back. Why, I don't understand. A 56 year old that is willing to come in each day instead of calling in sick and running off to the beach seems like a better choice to me! Compared to the people I've worked with lately, my work ethic is fabulous! Not to mention, I can count!

Well, Mush, I am the same age... till April 1.

I think like you... but how to convince someone, when all the option for applying is over the internet. I wish, I could go everywhere I applied in person. Bet I would have a better chance.

Moni

Is there a Wal-Mart, Target or other store like that near you? Or maybe a bike shop? You have a lot of hands on knowledge regarding bikes. I know in some cities out West there are huge sporting good stores with huge bike sections.

Apply at all the real estate offices in your area, for a position as a receptionist - they love older folks in that job! As an example, I have a dear friend who is 72, a retired flight attendent, also a retired teacher - she tried for 2 years to find a part time job, after the college she was teaching at decided her position was 'no longer available'. She finally started dating a man her age, who told her to go to the r.e. firms - the first one she applied to accepted her!

Also, apply at the I.R.S. - they hire older folks in data entry positions. Join A.A.R.P. - they have lots of job listings for 'older' folks.

Can you put a bike together? Seriously. I've heard that Walmart hires individuals to put their pedal bikes together and even women do it. It sounds like they can make good money.

Yes, I know bikes... but not enough. I always do the major work, but others fine tune it, when we put bikes together for the Salvation Army near Christmas time.

I am not a sales person... I cringe, when they talk people in to "more bike than they need" when I am at a bike shop.

Kay, I will look up some real estate offices. Thanks for the tip, even so, I am somewhat intimidated.... never done any such thing as a receptionist.

Moni

translator?
set up German lessons?
knitting lessons?

Put on your big-girl panties! You can say 'hello' on the phone, smile when folks come in, write down messages - believe me, if I can do it, so can you.

Thennnnnnn, when you get really knowlegable about real estate, via working the reception desk, you can become a real estate agent and work up to being a Broker, where all the BIG money is. We would all buy a house from you, I'd bet!

Its tough out there. I used to get a job within 2-3 days, now after almost 3 yrs, I have never gotten a call from anyone. Most places make you fill out apps online and you never hear back. I'm in a jobless rut now and don't even want to work (sorta)

When they see your age they don't want you anyway. I would have never believed our world would get like this. I always thought I would work till I died.

Below is a list of US minimum wages in different states.

Here is a link that might be useful: US minimum wages

If someone really wants to further their education, making minimum wage is not an obstacle to doing so. There are many private and government funded scholarship, grant and loan programs particularly for low income people. Sometimes you can even get an entry level job at a company that will provide tuition reimbursement. The government (taxpayers) really doesn't need to be doing any more on this front.

You can get a good education if you have have the intellectual capacity to learn and are motivated to work hard and make the personal sacrifices necessary to do so. Even if your income is limited. I know because I have done it and I have seen others do it as well.

Moni--It's now suggested that one's resume not suggest one's age; there are ways to word it so that it can't easily be figured out. I see (after reading articles,) that resumes have changed quite a bit. Also, you have a better chance if you can get your resume to HR through someone already working for the company you're interested in. I guess that's obvious, but it seems like resumes are too easily tossed now, without some kind of an "introduction" by someone on the inside. I'm still looking for that resume-writing article I read as it was very good, but for now this is an article on interviewing:

http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/109366/7-things-you-should-say-in-an-interview

Granted, it's geared for new college hires, but there may be a couple of points you can pick out of it. I'm sorry this job-hunting is so tough right now. I started working verrrrry part-time recently, subbing in my local district. Are you not interested in nanny jobs now? I saw a friend yesterday who is working part-time as a nanny sub, through an agency. She loves the flexibility. I hope you don't mind my unsolicited advice.

Are you good at cleaning? Start your own business.

I know you love gardening. See if you can work with a landscaper, nursery, or check out the garden departments at Lowes or Home Depot, etc.

I know you said no fast food. You might try a local food place where you make good tips or work at a place with a regular lunch and breakfast crowd.

You might also look into working for airport screening. I think it is a federal government job.