In the United States, a minimum wage refers to the lowest wage that an employer can pay a worker according to rules established by federal, state, local, or tribal governments. A company or representative board for a specific trade or industry also may decide to set a minimum wage for workers. In 2007 lawmakers created legislation to gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 per hour, which had been in effect since 1997, to $7.25 per hour, which has remained in place since 2009. (Opposing Viewpoints)