New Jersey Minimum Wage (2026)
Built & reviewed by Nandu Kannan · Overtime rules cited to primary statutes
New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 an hour in 2026. New Jersey's $15.92 is indexed annually; smaller and seasonal employers have a $15.23 rate.
New Jersey minimum-wage pay calculator
Pre-set to New Jersey's $15.92 minimum. Change the hours, add overtime, and see weekly, monthly and annual gross pay update instantly.
Gross pay before taxes, at New Jersey's minimum wage. Overtime at 1.5× the regular rate (federal FLSA); some states add daily overtime — see the state overtime calculator. Not payroll advice.
Tipped minimum wage in New Jersey
The tipped minimum cash wage in New Jersey is $6.05 an hour in 2026. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $9.87 an hour against the full $15.92 minimum.
How the tip credit works: the employer pays the cash wage, and your tips count toward the minimum. If your cash wage plus tips don't add up to the full $15.92 for every hour worked, your employer must make up the difference.
Tipped rates as of January 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor — Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees. Local and industry rules can differ and rates change — verify with your state labor office before relying on these figures.
When will New Jersey's minimum wage go up?
New Jersey raises its minimum wage automatically each year. Instead of a one-off increase, the rate is adjusted for inflation, so it goes up most years. New Jersey adjusts its minimum wage for inflation (CPI) every January 1; the 2027 rate is set later in 2026 — indexed, rate set later. Smaller and seasonal employers follow a slightly lower schedule.
Want to see the next change in every state? See our 2026–2027 minimum wage increases by state.
Scheduled increases verified as of June 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor and the EPI Minimum Wage Tracker. Future inflation-indexed rates are set by the state later and are not predicted here. Dates and amounts can change — verify with your state labor office before relying on them.
New Jersey minimum wage vs. the federal minimum
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. New Jersey's effective minimum is $15.92 — $8.67 above the federal floor. Where state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay whichever is higher.
Minimum-wage pay & overtime
At $15.92 an hour, overtime (1.5×) is $23.88 per hour. 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime. Run your own numbers with the New Jersey overtime calculator or convert it to a yearly figure with the salary to hourly calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in New Jersey in 2026?
The minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.92 per hour as of 2026. New Jersey's $15.92 is indexed annually; smaller and seasonal employers have a $15.23 rate.
How much is New Jersey's minimum wage per year?
At $15.92 an hour, full-time (40 hours a week, 52 weeks) is about $33,114 a year before taxes, or $637 a week.
Is New Jersey's minimum wage higher than the federal minimum?
Yes. New Jersey's $15.92 is above the federal minimum of $7.25. When state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay the higher rate.
What is overtime pay on New Jersey's minimum wage?
Overtime is 1.5× your regular rate, so a minimum-wage worker at $15.92 earns $23.88 per overtime hour. 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime.
What is the tipped minimum wage in New Jersey?
The tipped minimum cash wage in New Jersey is $6.05 an hour in 2026. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $9.87 an hour, but the cash wage plus tips must still reach the full $15.92 minimum — if it falls short, the employer must make up the difference.
Do tipped workers get full minimum wage in New Jersey?
Not always in direct cash. New Jersey lets employers pay a lower cash wage of $6.05 and count tips toward the minimum (a "tip credit"). But your cash wage plus tips must add up to at least the full $15.92 minimum for every hour — if it doesn't, your employer must pay the difference.
When does New Jersey's minimum wage increase?
New Jersey does not have a single fixed next increase — it adjusts its minimum wage for inflation automatically each year. New Jersey adjusts its minimum wage for inflation (CPI) every January 1; the 2027 rate is set later in 2026 — indexed, rate set later. Smaller and seasonal employers follow a slightly lower schedule.
What will New Jersey's minimum wage be in 2027?
New Jersey indexes its minimum wage to inflation, so the 2027 rate is set by the state late in 2026 and is expected to be modestly higher than $15.92 — the exact figure is not published yet.
Rate as of January 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and rates change — confirm with your state labor office. General information, not legal or payroll advice.
Related
What's a minimum-wage paycheck after taxes in New Jersey?
Minimum wage by state · New Jersey overtime · Overtime by state · Salary to Hourly
States with a similar minimum wage
Hawaii — $16.00 · New York — $16.00 · Rhode Island — $16.00 · Colorado — $15.16 · Arizona — $15.15