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.
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) |
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.
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