New Jersey minimum wage
Minimum wage in New Jersey, in effect since January 1, 2026
$15.92 an hour
That is $8.67 above the federal minimum of $7.25. Employers in New Jersey pay the higher state rate.
The rate differs by employer type; see the table below.
Next increase: $16.48 on January 1, 2027.
Rates by employer
| Employer or category | Hourly minimum | Tipped cash wage |
|---|---|---|
| Most employers (6 or more employees) | $15.92 | $6.05 |
| Seasonal and small employers (fewer than 6 employees) | $15.23 | — |
| Agricultural employers | $14.20 | — |
| Long-term care facility direct care staff | $18.92 | — |
Tipped employees
Employers in New Jersey can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $6.05 an hour, taking a tip credit of up to $9.87, as long as tips bring the employee to at least $15.92 for every hour worked. If they don't, the employer makes up the difference.
Scheduled increases
| Effective date | Standard rate | Tipped cash wage | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 (current) | $15.92 | $6.05 | In effect |
| January 1, 2027 | $16.48 | $6.61 | Announced NJDOL chart MW-570 (9/26): seasonal and small employers $16.25; agricultural $15; long-term care direct care staff $19.48. |
How future increases are set
Adjusted each January 1 based on a measure of inflation.
Exceptions and details
- Minors under 18 are exempt except in retail, food service, first processing of farm products, beauty culture, laundry/cleaning/dyeing, light manufacturing/apparel, and hotel/motel occupations (NJDOL FAQ).
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in New Jersey?
- $15.92 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in New Jersey?
- $6.05 an hour in cash wages, provided tips bring the employee up to $15.92 an hour.
- When does the New Jersey minimum wage go up?
- It rises to $16.48 on January 1, 2027.
Running payroll in New Jersey?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 9, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.