New Jersey Minimum Wage 2026: $15.92 for Most Employers
New Jersey’s minimum wage is $15.92 an hour for most employers, effective January 1, 2026, a $0.43 increase from $15.49 in 2025 under the state’s CPI-based annual adjustment. Seasonal and small employers (fewer than six employees) are on a separate, lower schedule that’s still catching up to the standard rate. On January 1, 2027 the rates rise to $16.48 for most employers, $16.25 for seasonal and small employers, and $15.00 for farm labor, per NJDOL’s 2027 minimum wage notice.
New Jersey at a glance
| Rate (most employers) | $15.92 / hour |
|---|---|
| Rate (seasonal & small employers) | $15.23 / hour |
| Effective | January 1, 2026 |
| Tipped cash wage | $6.05 / hour ($9.87 tip credit) |
| Next scheduled change | January 1, 2027: $16.48 (most employers); $16.25 (seasonal & small); $15.00 (farm) |
Minimum wage 2026 NJ: every rate by employer type
New Jersey’s 2026 minimum wage is $15.92 an hour for most employers, effective January 1, 2026. The state publishes separate rates for smaller, seasonal and agricultural employers and for long-term care direct care staff:
| Employer or worker type | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Most employers | $15.92 |
| Seasonal & small employers (fewer than 6 employees) | $15.23 |
| Agricultural employers | $14.20 |
| Tipped workers (cash wage) | $6.05 |
| Long-term care facility direct care staff | $18.92 |
Rates are from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s 2026 minimum wage notice. The rates can rise again each January 1 based on inflation. For 2027, NJDOL’s minimum wage notice sets $16.48 for most employers (a 3.52% CPI-W increase), $16.25 for seasonal and small employers, and $15.00 for farm labor, all effective January 1, 2027. The notice does not list 2027 tipped or long-term care rates; check NJDOL before updating those.
What this means for hiring
Whether a job qualifies for the standard $15.92 rate or the lower $15.23 seasonal/small-employer rate depends on the business’s size and industry, not just its location — a small business with fewer than six employees can legally pay the lower figure, so it’s worth confirming which schedule applies before setting a posted wage. Tipped employees can be paid as little as $6.05 in direct cash wages as long as tips bring their total pay up to at least $15.92 an hour; if tips fall short, the employer has to cover the gap.
For breaks, overtime, final paychecks and hiring rules in New Jersey, see our New Jersey labor laws guide for employers.
Frequently asked questions
What is minimum wage in NJ 2026?
$15.92 an hour for most employers, effective January 1, 2026. Seasonal and small employers (fewer than six employees) pay at least $15.23, agricultural employers $14.20, and long-term care facility direct care staff must be paid at least $18.92. Tipped workers can be paid a $6.05 cash wage if tips bring them to the full minimum.
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