$68 an hour.

In 1988 I was a single head-of-household mom without child support, and a full time college student when there was no tuition. I worked 30 hours a week as a bartender. I had to spend wisely, but was able to pay all bills with 75% of my pay, and have enough disposable income (and time) left to actually enjoy life. In today’s dollars and including tips, my take home pay was $54 an hour.

In 2025, a single HoH parent working 30 hours a week would be able to pay all bills including daycare and have a reasonable ~25% of their income left for living life on a gross income of $68 an hour.

That number would need an annual CoL adjustment. Also, college should be free.