Minimum wage in New Jersey in 2026
The minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.92 an hour in 2026. It rises to $16.48 on January 1, 2027, as announced by the state.
Checked against official sources.
New Jersey minimum wage at a glance
- An hour
- $15.92
- A week, 40 hours
- $636.80
- A year, 2,080 hours
- $33,114
- Tipped cash wage
- $6.05before tips
In effect since . A year means 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, before taxes.
Upcoming raises
- $16.48 an hour, $34,278 a year (announced by the state)
Tipped workers
Employers in New Jersey can pay tipped workers as little as $6.05 an hour in cash and count up to $9.87 an hour in tips toward the $15.92 minimum wage. If tips do not make up the difference, the employer must. The tipped cash wage rises to $6.61 on January 1, 2027, and the tip credit stays $9.87.
Who gets a different rate
- Seasonal and small employers (fewer than 6 workers): $15.23 an hour. $16.25 from January 1, 2027
- Farm workers: $14.20 an hour. $15.00 from January 1, 2027
- Direct care staff at long-term care facilities: $18.92 an hour. $3 above the standard rate, $19.48 from January 1, 2027
New Jersey minimum wage by year
| Year | Rate on January 1 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $13.00 |
| 2023 | $14.13 |
| 2024 | $15.13 |
| 2025 | $15.49 |
| 2026 | $15.92 |
New Jersey's constitution raises the rate every January 1 by inflation (CPI). The state announces it around October 1.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in New Jersey in 2026?
The minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.92 an hour in 2026. It rises to $16.48 on January 1, 2027, as announced by the state.
How much is minimum wage a year in New Jersey?
At $15.92 an hour, a full-time worker on 40 hours a week earns $636.80 a week and $33,114 a year before taxes.
What is the minimum wage for tipped workers in New Jersey?
Employers in New Jersey can pay tipped workers as little as $6.05 an hour in cash and count up to $9.87 an hour in tips toward the $15.92 minimum wage. If tips do not make up the difference, the employer must. The tipped cash wage rises to $6.61 on January 1, 2027, and the tip credit stays $9.87.
When does the minimum wage go up in New Jersey?
It rises to $16.48 on January 1, 2027. New Jersey's constitution raises the rate every January 1 by inflation (CPI). The state announces it around October 1.
Is there a different minimum wage for some workers in New Jersey?
Seasonal and small employers (fewer than 6 workers): $15.23 an hour ($16.25 from January 1, 2027). Farm workers: $14.20 an hour ($15.00 from January 1, 2027). Direct care staff at long-term care facilities: $18.92 an hour ($3 above the standard rate, $19.48 from January 1, 2027).
Minimum wage in other Northeastern states
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the official pages below. Checked .
- New Jersey's minimum wage to increase to $16.48 per hour, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, updated
- New Jersey's Minimum Wage chart (MW-570), New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
- New Jersey 2026 minimum wage announcement, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, updated
- State Minimum Wage Laws, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, updated
- Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, updated
- Changes in Basic Minimum Wages in Non-Farm Employment Under State Law, 1968 to 2024, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
Laws change. If your pay is below these rates, contact your state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243.