A drive to increase the federal minimum wage, which currently sits at $7.25 an hour and lags behind 22 individual states and other U.S. jurisdictions with higher pay rates, was bolstered by a group of prominent economists contacting President Obama and members of the federal legislature.

The 75 analysts, organized under the banner of the Economic Policy Institute, endorsed a $2.85 raise to the lowest hourly pay allowed by federal law and said that jump should be instituted by 2016, according to The Los Angeles Times.

A $10.10 minimum wage would outpace all current state-level pay laws, based on information from the U.S. Department of Labor. However, California will have a statewide compensation rate of $10 by 2016. The state's wages will rise steadily from the current rate of $8 during the next few years.

The economists said the greatest benefit of higher pay would be for members of families where all adults work. It would also provide an especially large benefit to women, who are disproportionately employed in positions where their time and attendance is worth less.

Attendance tracking software can give employers a leg up when dealing with changing federal and state pay laws, helping to correctly compensate employees.

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