Current minimum wage in New Jersey
New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 an hour for most workers in 2026 and is indexed to inflation each January. It rises to $16.48 on January 1, 2027, while seasonal and small employers and farms follow lower, separate schedules.
The rate rose from $15.49 (effective January 1, 2025) to $15.92 on January 1, 2026, an increase of $0.43 an hour or $894 a year for a full-time worker.
Next scheduled change
Rises to $16.48 on January 1, 2027, with the tipped cash wage moving to $6.61.
Tipped minimum wage
Employers may pay tipped employees a cash wage of $6.05 an hour and count tips toward the rest, as long as total pay reaches $15.92 an hour. The federal tipped cash wage is $2.13. Employers may pay tipped workers $6.05 an hour in cash, taking a tip credit of up to $9.87, as long as tips bring total pay to at least $15.92.
What minimum wage pays in New Jersey
| Hours per week | Weekly pay | Yearly pay |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | $318.40 | $16,557 |
| 25 hours | $398.00 | $20,696 |
| 30 hours | $477.60 | $24,835 |
| 35 hours | $557.20 | $28,974 |
| 40 hours | $636.80 | $33,114 |
After federal and New Jersey taxes, a full-time minimum wage worker who files single keeps about $28,015 a year, or $1,077 per biweekly check. Run your own numbers with the New Jersey paycheck calculator or see the full breakdown for $16 an hour.
Overtime rules
Follows the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule.
City and county minimum wages
No local minimum wages.
Exceptions and special rates
Seasonal employers and employers with fewer than 6 workers pay at least $15.23, farm workers paid hourly or by piece rate earn at least $14.20, and long-term care direct care staff earn at least $18.92.
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks #8 of 51 for its minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in New Jersey in 2026?
The New Jersey minimum wage is $15.92 an hour as of January 1, 2026.
What is the tipped minimum wage in New Jersey?
Employers in New Jersey may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $6.05 an hour, as long as tips bring total pay to at least $15.92. Employers may pay tipped workers $6.05 an hour in cash, taking a tip credit of up to $9.87, as long as tips bring total pay to at least $15.92.
When does the New Jersey minimum wage go up next?
Rises to $16.48 on January 1, 2027, with the tipped cash wage moving to $6.61.
How much is minimum wage in New Jersey per year?
At $15.92 an hour, a 40-hour week pays $637 and a full year pays $33,114 before taxes. A single filer keeps about $28,015 after federal and New Jersey taxes.
How does overtime work in New Jersey?
Follows the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule.