Minimum wage - New Jersey

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Many states also have minimum wage laws. In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.

The New Jersey minimum wage increases each year on January 1 based on inflation rates.

Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for New Jersey employees is $15.92 per hour ($6.05 for tipped employees; tip credit employers may claim remains at $9.87).

Effective January 1, 2025, the minimum wage for New Jersey employees is $15.49 per hour ($5.62 for tipped employees; tip credit employers may claim remains at $9.87).

Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum wage for New Jersey employees is $15.13 per hour ($5.26 for tipped employees; tip credit employers may claim is $9.87).

State

Contact

New Jersey Department of Labor Division of Wage and Hour Compliance

Regulations

New Jersey Permanent Statutes

Title 34 Labor and Workmen's Compensation
34:11-56a4. Minimum wage rate; exemptions

Every employer shall pay to each of his employees wages at a rate of not less than $5.05 per hour as of April 1, 1992 and, after January 1, 1999 the minimum hourly wage rate set by section 6(a)(1) of the federal "Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938" (29 U.S.C. sec. 206(a)(1)) for 40 hours of working time in any week.

Federal

Contact

The Department of Labor is the federal agency that monitors hours worked.

Regulations

U.S. labor regulations for minimum wage can be found in CFR 29 Part 531 and FLSA.