Statutory minimum wage in New Jersey (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 per hour for most employers from 1 January 2026, rising to $16.48 per hour on 1 January 2027. Lower rates apply to seasonal and small employers and to agricultural employers.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $15.92 per hour [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | Minors under 18 are listed as an exception to minimum wage protection, except minors working in retail, food service, the first processing of farm products, beauty culture, laundry, cleaning and dyeing, light manufacturing and apparel, and hotel and motel occupations. [2] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | 1 January 2027 [2] |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | $16.48 per hour [2] |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | $6.05 per hour cash wage; wage plus tips must reach the minimum wage of $15.92. [3] |
| Overtime payEmployees | Time and a half after 40 hours of actual work in a seven-day workweek. No extra pay is required for holidays, Saturdays or Sundays as such. [2] |
Notes
- From 1 January 2026 seasonal and small employers (fewer than 6 employees) pay $15.23 and agricultural employers $14.20; the required cash wage for tipped workers is $6.05. The Department notes the rate may increase each 1 January based on a measure of inflation.
- The New Jersey Department of Labor states that the required cash wage for tipped employees rises to $6.61 per hour on 1 January 2027.
Sources
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development: New Jersey's Minimum Wage (MW-571, 1/26) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Wage and Hour Compliance FAQs (for Workers) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees, table revised 1 July 2026 (Internet Archive snapshot of 4 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
New Jersey and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | Yes | $15.92 per hour | Minors under 18 excluded in some sectors | 1 January 2027 | $16.48 per hour |
| Delaware | Yes | $15.00 per hour | No youth rate; summer camp CITs exempt | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New York | Yes | Employees, NYC, Long Island, Westchester: $17.00 per hour (NYC, Long Island, Westchester) Employees, Rest of state: $16.00 per hour (rest of state) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Pennsylvania | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in New Jersey
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Not allowed
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph (35 mph low-density districts) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 50 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (probationary licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16 (special learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Licensed and registered · Minimum age: 15 years
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (ground sparkling devices only)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Not listed; "manifestly appropriate" test · Locking or one-handed knives: Banned without explainable lawful purpose
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned (primary offence) · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes (adults in the back: secondary law)
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Any alcohol, under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.