Federal and state increases in the minimum wage, such as the 40% increase between July 2007 and July 2009, have priced many less-educated Americans out of the workforce, according to the Employment Policies Institute. New data released from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show U.S. unemployment at 9.7%, but 14.5% for Americans without a high school diploma. An analysis by the Washington, D.C.-based institute shows that, between 1998 and 2007, those without a high school diploma spent an average 154 more days unemployed than their counterparts with a diploma. For more, click here.