The NJ minimum wage is $15.92 per hour for most employees in 2026, up from $15.49 in 2025. Seasonal and small employers with fewer than six workers pay at least $15.23, agricultural employers pay $14.20, and long-term care direct care staff earn at least $18.92. Tipped workers must receive a cash wage of at least $6.05.
Key Takeaways
- $15.92 per hour is the 2026 minimum for most New Jersey employees, effective January 1, 2026.
- Different employer types have different floors: $15.23 for seasonal and small employers, $14.20 for agriculture, and $18.92 for long-term care direct care staff.
- Tipped workers get a cash wage of at least $6.05, and tips must bring total pay up to the full minimum.
- Rates rise every January 1 based on inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index.
- New Jersey’s rate is more than double the federal minimum of $7.25.
Rates in this guide come from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s official 2026 minimum wage notice, checked in September 2026.
NJ Minimum Wage 2026 Rates by Worker Type
New Jersey does not use a single rate for everyone. Instead, state law sets separate floors for several groups of workers. The table below shows every 2026 rate alongside the 2025 rate it replaced.
| Worker category | 2025 rate | 2026 rate | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most employers | $15.49 | $15.92 | +$0.43 |
| Seasonal and small employers (fewer than 6 employees) | $14.53 | $15.23 | +$0.70 |
| Agricultural employers | $13.40 | $14.20 | +$0.80 |
| Long-term care facility direct care staff | $18.49 | $18.92 | +$0.43 |
| Tipped workers (minimum cash wage) | $5.62 | $6.05 | +$0.43 |
Notably, the smaller categories rose faster than the main rate. That is by design. New Jersey’s 2019 minimum wage law set slower phase-in schedules for small, seasonal, and farm employers, and those groups keep catching up each year.
Who counts as a seasonal or small employer?
A small employer, for minimum wage purposes, has fewer than six employees. The seasonal rate covers workers employed only during a limited season, which is common in summer jobs at the Jersey Shore. Because the definitions are specific, employers should confirm eligibility with the Department of Labor before using the lower rate. According to the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, the separate rate for these employers is scheduled to keep rising gradually until 2028, when it is designed to reach the standard rate.
Agricultural workers
Farmworkers follow their own timetable. Their minimum rose 80 cents to $14.20 in 2026, the largest dollar increase of any group this year. Moreover, their schedule continues to step up through 2030.
Long-term care direct care staff
Direct care staff in long-term care facilities receive a higher floor. Their minimum is set $3 above the standard statewide rate, which is why it sits at $18.92 in 2026.
How the NJ Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers Works
Restaurant servers, bartenders, and other tipped employees can be paid a lower cash wage. In 2026, that cash wage is at least $6.05 per hour. Meanwhile, the maximum tip credit an employer can claim stays at $9.87.
Put simply, $6.05 in cash wages plus a $9.87 tip credit equals $15.92. If a worker’s tips fall short of that gap in any pay period, the employer must make up the difference. As a result, every tipped employee must still earn at least the full minimum wage.
What $15.92 an Hour Means in Real Pay
Hourly rates are easier to plan around when converted into weekly and yearly pay. The figures below assume a 40-hour week, 52 weeks a year, before taxes and deductions.
| Category | Hourly | Weekly (40 hours) | Yearly (2,080 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most employers | $15.92 | $636.80 | $33,113.60 |
| Seasonal and small employers | $15.23 | $609.20 | $31,678.40 |
| Agricultural employers | $14.20 | $568.00 | $29,536.00 |
| Long-term care direct care staff | $18.92 | $756.80 | $39,353.60 |
Overtime adds more. New Jersey law requires overtime pay of one and a half times the regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. For a worker earning $15.92, that means at least $23.88 per overtime hour.
How the NJ Minimum Wage Has Changed Since 2020
New Jersey’s minimum wage has climbed quickly. In February 2019, the state enacted a law that raised the wage in steps to $15 by 2024, with inflation-based increases afterward. The official state history shows the pace clearly.
| Effective date | Most employers | Seasonal and small | Agricultural | Tipped cash wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2020 | $11.00 | $10.30 | $10.30 | $3.13 |
| January 1, 2021 | $12.00 | $11.10 | $10.30 | $4.13 |
| January 1, 2022 | $13.00 | $11.90 | $11.05 | $5.13 |
| January 1, 2023 | $14.13 | $12.93 | $12.01 | $5.26 |
| January 1, 2024 | $15.13 | $13.73 | $12.81 | $5.26 |
| January 1, 2025 | $15.49 | $14.53 | $13.40 | $5.62 |
| January 1, 2026 | $15.92 | $15.23 | $14.20 | $6.05 |
For context, the rate was just $8.60 in 2018. In other words, the main New Jersey minimum wage has nearly doubled in eight years.
How the NJ Minimum Wage Is Set Each Year
Now that the $15 target has been reached, increases are automatic. Each year, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development adjusts the rate using Consumer Price Index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The new rate takes effect on January 1.
The state typically announces the next year’s rate in the fall. Therefore, workers and employers should expect the 2027 figure to be published before the end of 2026, ahead of its January 1, 2027 start date.
NJ Minimum Wage vs. the Federal Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage has stayed at $7.25 per hour since 2009. New Jersey’s 2026 rate of $15.92 is therefore more than twice the federal floor. When state and federal rates differ, employers must pay whichever is higher, so New Jersey workers are covered by the state rate.
Commuters should also note that pay rules follow the place where the work is performed. Someone living in Jersey City but working in New York City falls under New York’s wage rules, not New Jersey’s.
What Employers Must Do
- Update payroll every January 1. Rates change annually, so check the new figure each fall.
- Use the right category. Confirm whether you qualify as a small, seasonal, or agricultural employer before using a lower rate.
- Track tipped pay by pay period. Make up any shortfall when tips do not reach the full minimum.
- Display the official notice. The Department of Labor publishes the minimum wage poster employers must display.
- Pay overtime correctly. Hours over 40 in a workweek earn at least 1.5 times the regular rate.
What Workers Can Do If They Are Underpaid
If you believe you earned less than the NJ minimum wage, start by checking your pay stubs against the rate for your category. Next, raise the issue with your employer in writing. If that fails, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Wage and Hour division accepts wage complaints.
Keep records of your hours, pay stubs, and any tip reports. Those documents make any claim far easier to resolve.
More New Jersey Money Guides
Minimum wage is only one part of your paycheck. For more state money topics explained clearly, visit our Money & Taxes section. If you commute or drive for work, our guide to NJ license renewal explains fees and online options. The NJ News Today homepage lists every new guide as it is published.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NJ Minimum Wage
What is the NJ minimum wage in 2026?
The NJ minimum wage is $15.92 per hour for most employees, effective January 1, 2026. It rose from $15.49 in 2025.
What is the minimum wage for small businesses in New Jersey?
Seasonal employers and small employers with fewer than six employees must pay at least $15.23 per hour in 2026. That rate is scheduled to keep rising until it reaches the standard rate.
What is the tipped minimum wage in NJ?
Tipped workers must receive a cash wage of at least $6.05 per hour in 2026. The maximum tip credit is $9.87, and employers must make up any shortfall so total pay reaches $15.92.
What is the NJ minimum wage for farmworkers?
Agricultural employers must pay at least $14.20 per hour in 2026, up 80 cents from 2025. The farm rate follows a separate schedule that continues through 2030.
When does the NJ minimum wage go up again?
New Jersey adjusts the minimum wage every January 1 based on the Consumer Price Index. The next increase is due on January 1, 2027, and the state usually announces the new rate in the fall.
How much is $15.92 an hour per year?
At 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, $15.92 an hour equals $636.80 per week or $33,113.60 per year before taxes.
Is overtime required in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey requires overtime pay of at least one and a half times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a week. At $15.92, that is at least $23.88 per hour.
The Bottom Line on the NJ Minimum Wage
The NJ minimum wage for 2026 is $15.92 for most workers, with separate floors for small and seasonal employers, farms, long-term care staff, and tipped employees. Because the rate is tied to inflation, it will change again on January 1, 2027. Workers should check pay stubs against the correct category, while employers should update payroll each January. Either way, knowing your exact rate is the first step to being paid fairly.