New Jersey Minimum Wage 2026
⚠️Informational only — not legal or tax advice.
Last Updated: February 3, 2026
Last Reviewed: February 3, 2026
Applicable Period: 2026
Jurisdiction: State of New Jersey, United States
Update Schedule: Quarterly reviews in 2026; annual reviews thereafter
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- New Jersey Minimum Wage – 2026 Quick Reference
- Overview of Minimum Wage Law in New Jersey
- Current Minimum Wage Rates in New Jersey 2026
- Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees
- Local Minimum Wage Ordinances in New Jersey
- Who Is Covered and Who Is Exempt
- Employer Obligations and Enforcement
- New Jersey Minimum Wage vs Federal Law
- Minimum Wage Posting Requirements
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Information Verification Log
Introduction
The minimum wage in New Jersey establishes the lowest hourly compensation that employers must legally provide to covered employees. For 2026, New Jersey maintains a minimum wage of $15.92 per hour for most employees, with specific provisions for tipped workers, small and seasonal employers, agricultural workers, and long-term care facility direct care staff.
Minimum wage regulations in New Jersey operate under N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a et seq. (the New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law) alongside federal requirements established by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). When state minimum wage rates exceed the federal standard, employers must comply with the higher state rate. New Jersey permits tip credits and does not allow local jurisdictions to enact higher minimum wage ordinances. The state adjusts its minimum wage annually based on the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation.
This page provides an authoritative overview of New Jersey minimum wage law for 2026, including current rates, scheduled increases, tipped employee provisions, employer size variations, coverage and exemptions, enforcement procedures, and compliance requirements. All information is compiled from official government sources.
| New Jersey Minimum Wage – 2026 Quick Reference | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Rate | Effective Date | Official Source |
| State minimum wage (most employees) | $15.92/hour | January 1, 2026 | N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(a) |
| Small/seasonal employers (<6 employees) | $15.23/hour | January 1, 2026 | N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(c) |
| Agricultural workers | $14.20/hour | January 1, 2026 | N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(d) |
| Tipped minimum wage (cash wage) | $6.05/hour | January 1, 2026 | N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(e) |
| Maximum tip credit allowed | $9.87 | January 1, 2026 | N.J.A.C. 12:56-7.2 |
| Long-term care direct care staff | $18.92/hour | January 1, 2026 | N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(g) |
| Next scheduled increase | CPI-adjusted (annual) | January 1, 2027 | N.J.A.C. 12:56-3.1 |
| Rate adjustment mechanism | CPI-indexed | — | Article 1, Paragraph 23, NJ Constitution |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25/hour | Ongoing | FLSA |
| Local minimum wages | No | — | State preemption |
Last verified: February 3, 2026 via New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development website
Overview of Minimum Wage Law in New Jersey
Legal Authority
New Jersey minimum wage requirements are established under N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a et seq., commonly known as the New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers and enforces minimum wage regulations in New Jersey. Article 1, Paragraph 23 of the New Jersey Constitution requires annual adjustment of the minimum wage based on increases in the Consumer Price Index. The current minimum wage framework was established through legislation signed in February 2019 that gradually increased the state minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by 2024 for most employees.
Relationship to Federal Law
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal minimum wage establishes a floor of $7.25 per hour for covered employers and employees. New Jersey law operates independently with its own minimum wage standards that exceed federal requirements. When both state and federal minimum wage laws apply, employers must pay whichever rate is higher.
Because New Jersey’s minimum wage of $15.92 exceeds the federal minimum by $8.67 per hour, most covered employers must comply with the state rate. Employers covered by federal law but not subject to state minimum wage requirements must still pay at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Coverage Scope
New Jersey minimum wage law applies to most employers and employees within the state. The law covers private sector employers regardless of size, with specific provisions for small employers with fewer than six employees and seasonal employers. Most employee classifications are covered, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers. Specific industries and employee types may be subject to different rates or exemptions as detailed in state statutes and regulations.
Higher Rate Principle
The principle of “higher prevailing rate” requires employers to pay the highest applicable minimum wage—whether federal or state. In New Jersey, this means employers must identify and apply whichever minimum wage rate provides employees the highest hourly compensation. For most New Jersey employees, the state minimum wage of $15.92 per hour applies because it exceeds the federal rate.
Current Minimum Wage Rates in New Jersey 2026
Standard Hourly Minimum Wage
As of January 1, 2026, the standard minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.92 per hour for most covered employees. This rate applies to employees of large employers (those with six or more employees) and represents a $0.43 increase from the 2025 rate of $15.49 per hour.
New Jersey adjusts its minimum wage annually based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W, U.S. City Average). The 2.81 percent increase from 2025 to 2026 reflects inflation data from August 2024 through August 2025 provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development calculates and publishes the adjusted rate annually by September 30 for the following calendar year.
The standard rate applies uniformly across all geographic areas within New Jersey. Unlike some states that establish regional variations, New Jersey maintains a single statewide minimum wage for covered employees.
Minimum Wage by Employer Size
New Jersey establishes different minimum wage rates based on the size and type of employer:
Large Employers (6+ employees): $15.92 per hour
Effective: January 1, 2026
Authority: N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(a)
Small Employers (fewer than 6 employees): $15.23 per hour
Effective: January 1, 2026
Authority: N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(c)
Seasonal Employers: $15.23 per hour
Effective: January 1, 2026
Authority: N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(c)
These size-based variations recognize that smaller businesses may face different economic constraints than larger enterprises. Employer size is determined by counting all employees, including part-time workers. Seasonal employers are those who operate for fewer than six months per calendar year. The minimum wage for small and seasonal employers increases on a separate schedule, with phase-in increases continuing through January 1, 2028, at which point their minimum wage will equal the standard rate.
Agricultural Worker Minimum Wage
Employees engaged on a piece-rate or regular hourly rate basis to labor on a farm are subject to a separate minimum wage schedule:
Agricultural Workers: $14.20 per hour
Effective: January 1, 2026
Authority: N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(d)
This rate applies to farmworkers performing agricultural labor, whether compensated on an hourly or piece-rate basis. Agricultural workers follow a longer phase-in schedule than other employee categories, with incremental increases continuing through January 1, 2030. After the phase-in period concludes, agricultural worker minimum wage will adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index alongside other employee categories.
Long-Term Care Facility Direct Care Staff
Long-term care facility direct care staff receive an enhanced minimum wage rate:
Long-Term Care Direct Care Staff: $18.92 per hour
Effective: January 1, 2026
Authority: N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(g)
This rate applies to direct care staff members working in long-term care facilities and is set at $3.00 above the standard minimum wage. Direct care staff includes personal care assistants and other employees providing direct patient care in long-term care settings. This enhanced rate recognizes the critical nature of direct care work and was established through legislation signed in 2020.
| Scheduled Minimum Wage Increases | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey has the following minimum wage increases scheduled and projected: | ||||
| Effective Date | Standard Rate | Small/Seasonal Employers | Agricultural Workers | Long-Term Care Staff |
| January 1, 2026 | $15.92 | $15.23 | $14.20 | $18.92 |
| January 1, 2027 | CPI-adjusted | $16.03 (projected) | $15.00 | CPI-adjusted + $3.00 |
| January 1, 2028 | CPI-adjusted | Aligns with standard | $15.80 (projected) | CPI-adjusted + $3.00 |
| January 1, 2029 | CPI-adjusted | CPI-adjusted | $16.60 (projected) | CPI-adjusted + $3.00 |
| January 1, 2030 | CPI-adjusted | CPI-adjusted | Aligns with standard | CPI-adjusted + $3.00 |
For the standard minimum wage and long-term care staff rates, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development calculates annual adjustments based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the one-year period from August through August. The Department announces the adjusted rate each year by September 30 for implementation the following January 1.
Small and seasonal employer minimum wage will continue increasing by $0.80 per year through 2027, then align with the standard rate beginning in 2028. Agricultural worker minimum wage will increase by $0.80 per year through 2029, then align with the standard rate beginning in 2030. After alignment, these rates will adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index.
Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees
Tipped Employee Cash Wage
New Jersey permits employers to pay tipped employees a reduced cash wage, provided that employee tips combined with the cash wage equal at least the full minimum wage.
Cash wage requirement: $6.05 per hour
Maximum tip credit: $9.87 per hour
Total minimum compensation: $15.92 per hour (cash wage + tips)
Effective January 1, 2026, employers must pay tipped employees at least $6.05 per hour in direct cash wages. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $9.87 per hour to satisfy their minimum wage obligations. The combined amount of cash wages and tips must equal or exceed $15.92 per hour for all hours worked.
Who Qualifies as a Tipped Employee
Under New Jersey law, a “tipped employee” is defined as an employee who customarily and regularly receives more than $30 per month in tips. Qualifying occupations typically include:
- Restaurant servers and bartenders
- Hotel and casino service workers
- Parking attendants and valets
- Delivery drivers who receive tips
- Hair stylists and barbers
- Food service workers in establishments where tipping is customary
An employee must receive tips on a regular and customary basis to qualify for the tipped employee minimum wage. Occasional or sporadic tips do not establish tipped employee status.
Employer Obligations for Tipped Workers
Employers who claim a tip credit must:
- Inform employees in writing of the tip credit provisions before claiming the credit, including the amount of cash wage being paid, the amount of tip credit claimed, and notification that tips are the property of the employee
- Ensure total compensation (cash wage plus tips) equals or exceeds the full minimum wage of $15.92 per hour for all hours worked
- Pay the difference if an employee’s tips fail to bring total compensation to the minimum wage for any workweek
- Maintain accurate records of employee tips and hours worked, including daily or weekly records of tips received
- Comply with tip pooling rules as established by state and federal law
Employers must provide written notice of tip credit provisions to employees. If an employee’s tips combined with the cash wage of $6.05 per hour do not equal $15.92 per hour, the employer must make up the difference for that pay period. Failure to meet these obligations results in the employer forfeiting the right to claim a tip credit.
Tip Pooling and Sharing
New Jersey law permits voluntary tip pooling arrangements among employees who customarily and regularly receive tips. However, specific rules govern tip pooling:
Who May Participate: Only employees who customarily and regularly receive tips may participate in a valid tip pool. This typically includes servers, bartenders, bussers, food runners, and similar positions.
Who Cannot Participate: Employers, managers, and supervisors cannot participate in tip pools or retain any portion of employee tips. Under federal law, employers are prohibited from keeping tips received by employees for any purpose, including allowing managers or supervisors to participate in tip pools.
Tip Credit Impact: If an employer claims a tip credit, it may only require employees to share tips with other employees who customarily and regularly receive tips and who are not receiving the full minimum wage directly from the employer.
Service Charges: Mandatory service charges added to customer bills are not considered tips under New Jersey law. Employers may retain service charges unless they have represented to customers that the charges will be distributed to employees. If service charges are distributed to employees, the employer must distribute them in accordance with any representations made to customers.
Local Minimum Wage Ordinances in New Jersey
New Jersey law does not authorize cities and counties to enact their own minimum wage rates that differ from the state minimum wage. All employers in New Jersey must comply with the uniform statewide rate structure established by state law.
Under N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4(h), the state minimum wage law does not prohibit political subdivisions from adopting ordinances establishing standards for vendors, contractors, and subcontractors that exceed state or federal law. However, this provision applies only to government contractors and does not permit municipalities to establish general minimum wages exceeding the state rate for private sector employers.
As a result, the applicable minimum wage is $15.92 per hour for most employees throughout New Jersey, regardless of geographic location. Employers operating in Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, or any other municipality within the state apply the same statewide minimum wage rates.
Prevailing Wage Requirements: Some New Jersey municipalities have enacted prevailing wage ordinances requiring government contractors to pay specified wage rates. These requirements apply only to work performed under government contracts and do not establish general minimum wages for private sector employment. Employers performing work under government contracts should verify applicable prevailing wage requirements with the contracting public body.
Living Wage Ordinances: Certain counties and municipalities have enacted living wage ordinances requiring contractors providing services to local government to pay enhanced wage rates to employees performing that contract work. These ordinances do not apply to general private sector employment, only to employees working under covered government service contracts.
Who Is Covered and Who Is Exempt
Employees Covered by New Jersey Minimum Wage
New Jersey minimum wage law covers most employees working within the state. Unless specifically exempted, covered employees include:
- Private sector workers: Full-time and part-time employees of private businesses
- Salaried non-exempt employees: Employees paid on a salary basis who do not qualify for executive, administrative, or professional exemption
- Hourly employees: Workers compensated on an hourly basis
- Temporary and seasonal workers: Employees hired for temporary or seasonal positions (subject to employer-specific rates for seasonal employers)
- Minor employees: Workers under age 18 in covered occupations including retail, food service, first processing of farm products, beauty culture, laundry and cleaning, light manufacturing and apparel, and hotel and motel occupations
The law applies regardless of immigration status. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development enforces wage laws without regard to a worker’s legal status and does not share information with immigration authorities.
Exemptions from Minimum Wage Requirements
The following categories of employees may be exempt from New Jersey minimum wage requirements:
Executive, Administrative, and Professional Employees
Employees performing bona fide executive, administrative, or professional duties may be exempt if they meet both salary and duties tests. The salary threshold for exempt status follows federal standards under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employers must verify that employees claiming exempt status satisfy both the minimum salary requirement and the duties tests for their respective exemption categories.
Outside Sales Employees
Employees whose primary duty is making sales away from the employer’s place of business and who are customarily and regularly engaged away from the employer’s business location are exempt from minimum wage requirements. This exemption applies only to employees primarily engaged in sales activities outside the employer’s establishment.
Automobile Salespersons
Salespersons primarily engaged in selling automobiles at licensed automobile dealerships are exempt from minimum wage requirements under New Jersey law.
Minors Under Age 18 (Limited Exemptions)
Minors under 18 years of age are generally covered by minimum wage requirements when working in retail, food service, first processing of farm products, beauty culture occupations, laundry, cleaning and dyeing, light manufacturing and apparel, and hotel and motel occupations. Minors working in other occupations may be exempt. Additionally, minors primarily engaged in the care and tending of children in the home of the employer were previously exempt, though this exemption has been eliminated for domestic workers under recent legislation.
Workers with Disabilities
New Jersey law authorizes charitable organizations or institutions to employ individuals with disabilities at rates less than the minimum wage, subject to issuance of special permits. These permits must detail the duration, type of work performed, and payment amounts. Employers must apply to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development for special licenses to pay subminimum wages.
Volunteer Workers and Trainees
Legitimate volunteers for nonprofit, charitable, or educational organizations are not employees and therefore not covered by minimum wage requirements. Similarly, trainees in educational programs that meet specific criteria under federal and state law may not be considered employees. However, these categories are narrowly construed, and employers must ensure individuals truly meet volunteer or trainee status.
Independent Contractors
Properly classified independent contractors are not employees and therefore not covered by minimum wage requirements. However, New Jersey applies strict tests to determine independent contractor status, using the “ABC test” under state law. Misclassification of employees as independent contractors may result in penalties, back wages, and other remedies. All three prongs of the ABC test must be satisfied for independent contractor classification to apply.
Small Employer Provisions
Employers with fewer than six employees must pay a minimum wage of $15.23 per hour as of January 1, 2026, rather than the standard $15.92 rate. Employer size is determined by counting all employees, including part-time workers. This reduced rate for small employers continues through 2027, at which point small employer minimum wage will align with the standard rate.
Federal Requirements May Still Apply: Even if subject to the small employer minimum wage under state law, employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The New Jersey small employer rate of $15.23 exceeds federal requirements, so compliance with state law satisfies federal obligations.
Employer Obligations and Enforcement
Employer Compliance Obligations
Employers subject to New Jersey minimum wage law must:
- Pay the applicable minimum wage for all hours worked according to employee category
- Maintain accurate payroll records documenting hours worked, wages paid, and deductions for at least six years
- Display required posters informing employees of minimum wage rates and worker rights
- Issue compliant wage statements showing gross wages, deductions, net pay, and hours worked each pay period
- Provide written notice of wage rates to employees at the time of hiring
- Comply with tip credit notification requirements if claiming tip credits for tipped employees
- File certified payroll reports if performing work under prevailing wage requirements
Recordkeeping Requirements: Employers must maintain payroll records for six years, including:
- Employee names, addresses, and Social Security numbers
- Hours worked each workday and workweek
- Wage rates and total wages paid each pay period
- Deductions from wages with supporting documentation
- Tip records for tipped employees
- Records demonstrating exempt status for exempt employees
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development may inspect employer records during investigations. Failure to maintain required records or refusal to provide records upon request constitutes a violation of the wage and hour law.
Enforcement of Minimum Wage Law
The Division of Wage and Hour Compliance within the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development enforces minimum wage requirements in New Jersey. The Division:
- Investigates wage complaints filed by employees
- Conducts routine compliance inspections of employers
- Issues orders for payment of unpaid wages
- Assesses administrative penalties for violations
- Refers cases for criminal prosecution when appropriate
- Provides education and outreach to employers and employees regarding wage requirements
Filing a Complaint: Employees who believe they have not been paid proper minimum wage may file a complaint with the Division of Wage and Hour Compliance through:
- Online complaint portal: https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/
- Phone: (609) 292-2305
- Mail: Division of Wage and Hour Compliance, P.O. Box 389, Trenton, NJ 08625-0389
- In-person: Regional office locations throughout New Jersey
New Jersey law prohibits retaliation against employees who file wage complaints or cooperate with investigations. Taking adverse action against an employee within 90 days of filing a complaint creates a presumption of retaliation.
Statute of Limitations: Employees have six years from the date wages were due to file a complaint for unpaid minimum wage, overtime, or other wage violations.
Penalties for Minimum Wage Violations
Employers who violate New Jersey minimum wage law may be subject to:
Back Wages: Employers must pay employees the difference between wages paid and the required minimum wage for all hours worked, typically going back six years from the date of complaint or discovery.
Liquidated Damages: New Jersey law authorizes liquidated damages equal to up to 200 percent of the unpaid wages. Liquidated damages serve as compensation for delayed payment and may be waived for first violations if the employer demonstrates the violation was an inadvertent error made in good faith, acknowledges the violation, and pays the amount owed within 30 days of notice.
Administrative Penalties: The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development may assess administrative penalties of up to $250 for a first violation and up to $500 for each subsequent violation. Additional administrative fees of 10 to 25 percent of payments owed to employees may be assessed.
Criminal Penalties: Employers who willfully violate minimum wage requirements are guilty of a disorderly persons offense and may be fined between $100 and $1,000 for a first violation. Subsequent violations may result in fines between $500 and $1,000 and imprisonment for 10 to 90 days.
Interest: Unpaid wages accrue interest from the date wages were due.
Retaliation Penalties: Employers who retaliate against employees for filing wage complaints or participating in investigations face additional penalties, including mandatory reinstatement of discharged employees, payment of lost wages, liquidated damages, and correction of discriminatory actions.
New Jersey Minimum Wage vs Federal Law
The Federal Minimum Wage Floor
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes a federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, which has remained unchanged since July 24, 2009. This federal rate sets a floor for minimum wage requirements nationwide and applies to employers engaged in interstate commerce or with annual gross sales exceeding $500,000.
The federal minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour in direct cash wages, with a maximum tip credit of $5.12 per hour, provided the employee’s total compensation (cash wages plus tips) equals at least $7.25 per hour.
When State Law Applies
Because New Jersey’s minimum wage of $15.92 exceeds the federal minimum by $8.67 per hour, most employees working in New Jersey are entitled to the higher state rate. The federal minimum serves as a fallback only for the limited category of employers covered by federal but not state law. Even employers with fewer than six employees must pay $15.23 per hour under New Jersey law, which exceeds federal requirements.
New Jersey’s tipped employee cash wage of $6.05 per hour also exceeds the federal tipped minimum of $2.13 per hour. New Jersey employers must comply with state tip credit provisions, which provide greater protection to tipped employees than federal law.
Higher Applicable Rate Rule
The fundamental principle governing minimum wage compliance is that employers must pay whichever rate—federal or state—provides employees the highest hourly wage. This rule ensures workers receive maximum protection under applicable law.
Practical Application:
- Identify whether the employer is covered by federal law (FLSA), state law, or both
- Determine which minimum wage rates apply to the specific employee
- Pay the highest applicable rate
In New Jersey, this means nearly all covered employees receive the state minimum wage because it exceeds federal requirements. Employers covered only by federal law must pay the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, while employers covered by both federal and state law must pay the New Jersey rate.
Minimum Wage Posting Requirements
New Jersey law requires employers to display an official minimum wage notice in a conspicuous location accessible to all employees. The poster must include current wage rates, employee rights, and contact information for the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Where to obtain posters:
- Download from the New Jersey Department of Labor website
- The official poster (Form MW-220) is available in English and Spanish
- Employers must post the current version reflecting 2026 rates
Posting locations: The notice must be posted in each workplace location where employees can readily see it, typically near time clocks, in break rooms, at employee entrances, or at other prominent locations. For remote workers, employers should provide copies of required notices electronically.
Compliance: Failure to display required posters may result in citations and penalties from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Employers must update posters when minimum wage rates change each January.
Frequently Asked Questions: Minimum Wage in New Jersey 2026
What is the minimum wage in New Jersey in 2026?
The minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.92 per hour as of January 1, 2026 for most employees. Small employers with fewer than six employees pay $15.23 per hour. Agricultural workers receive $14.20 per hour, and long-term care direct care staff receive $18.92 per hour.
When is the next minimum wage increase in New Jersey?
The next minimum wage increase in New Jersey is scheduled for January 1, 2027. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development will calculate the adjusted rate based on the Consumer Price Index and announce it by September 30, 2026. Future increases occur annually based on inflation.
Does New Jersey allow tip credit?
Yes, New Jersey permits employers to pay tipped employees a cash wage of $6.05 per hour with up to $9.87 in tip credit, provided total compensation reaches $15.92 per hour. Employers must inform employees in writing of tip credit provisions and ensure tips bring total earnings to at least the full minimum wage.
Are there different minimum wages in different cities in New Jersey?
No, New Jersey maintains a uniform statewide minimum wage. Local jurisdictions are not authorized to enact minimum wages exceeding the state rate for general private sector employment. The $15.92 per hour rate applies throughout the state, though some government contractors may be subject to prevailing wage or living wage ordinances.
Who is exempt from minimum wage in New Jersey?
Common exemptions from New Jersey minimum wage include executive, administrative, and professional employees meeting salary and duties tests, outside sales employees, automobile salespersons, and certain workers with disabilities under special permits. Independent contractors are not covered. Most hourly workers, including part-time employees, are covered.
What happens if an employer pays below minimum wage in New Jersey?
Employers who pay below minimum wage face back wage liability for up to six years, liquidated damages up to 200 percent of unpaid wages, administrative penalties ranging from $250 to $500 per violation, and potential criminal prosecution. Employees can file complaints with the Division of Wage and Hour Compliance to recover unpaid wages. New Jersey law prohibits retaliation against workers who report violations.
Do small businesses have to pay minimum wage in New Jersey?
Yes, all employers in New Jersey must pay minimum wage. Employers with fewer than six employees must pay $15.23 per hour as of January 1, 2026. Large employers with six or more employees must pay $15.92 per hour. Even businesses with one employee must comply with applicable state minimum wage requirements.
Is New Jersey’s minimum wage higher than the federal minimum?
Yes, New Jersey’s minimum wage of $15.92 is $8.67 higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Employers in New Jersey must pay the higher state rate. Even small employers paying $15.23 per hour exceed federal requirements by $7.98 per hour.
How often does New Jersey increase its minimum wage?
New Jersey adjusts its minimum wage annually on January 1 based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development announces the new rate each year by September 30 for implementation the following January 1.
Can employers pay less than minimum wage during training?
No, New Jersey does not currently authorize a training wage for new employees. Employers must pay at least the applicable minimum wage from the first hour of employment. While New Jersey law contains provisions for training wages, they are not currently in effect for most employee categories.
How to file a minimum wage complaint in New Jersey
Employees who believe they have not received proper minimum wage compensation may file a wage complaint with the Division of Wage and Hour Compliance. Filing methods include:
- Online portal: https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/
- Phone: (609) 292-2305
- Mail: Division of Wage and Hour Compliance, P.O. Box 389, Trenton, NJ 08625-0389
- In-person: Regional office locations throughout New Jersey
The Division will investigate the complaint and may recover unpaid wages on behalf of the employee. New Jersey law prohibits employer retaliation against workers who file wage complaints or participate in investigations. The statute of limitations for wage complaints is six years.
Do remote workers in New Jersey get the New Jersey minimum wage?
Generally, the minimum wage of the jurisdiction where the employee physically performs work applies. Remote workers located in New Jersey are typically entitled to New Jersey’s minimum wage of $15.92 per hour, even if their employer is based in another state. Employers should apply New Jersey wage and hour requirements to employees performing work within the state.
Information Verification Log
All information on this page has been compiled from official government sources and verified for accuracy as of the dates below.
| Primary Legal & Government Sources | ||
|---|---|---|
| Official statutes, regulations, and government publications governing minimum wage in New Jersey. | ||
| Source | Last Verified | Access Method |
| N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a et seq. | February 3, 2026 | New Jersey Legislature website |
| N.J.A.C. 12:56 (Administrative Code) | February 3, 2026 | New Jersey Department of Labor website |
| Article I, Paragraph 23, New Jersey Constitution | February 3, 2026 | Official constitutional text |
| New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development | February 3, 2026 | Official website and press releases |
| Public Notice — Minimum Wage 2026 | February 3, 2026 | New Jersey Department of Labor official publication |
| Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) | February 3, 2026 | U.S. Department of Labor website |