Minimum wage in New Jersey
New Jersey's basic minimum wage is $15.92 an hour. That is $8.67 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25. The rate is adjusted annually by a formula set in state law, so the figure here is the one DOL showed as of July 1, 2026. Employers may pay tipped employees a cash wage of $6.05 and count tips toward the rest, with a tip credit of up to $9.87. Against New Jersey's $15.92 floor for FLSA-covered employers, among its 3 neighbors New York ($17.00) is higher and Delaware ($15.00) and Pennsylvania ($7.25) are lower.
Verified against the U.S. Department of Labor on (DOL's state table updated ). Source: State Minimum Wage Laws, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees.
At a glance
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| State minimum wage | $15.92 |
| Against the federal $7.25 | $8.67 above federal |
| Floor for FLSA-covered employers | $15.92 (the higher of the state and federal rates) |
| Scheduled change | Adjusted annually by a formula in state law (no amount listed by DOL) |
| Overtime threshold in state law | Weekly - 40 |
| Tipped cash wage | $6.05 |
| Maximum tip credit | $9.87 |
Rates as DOL lists them
| Rate per hour | Applies to |
|---|---|
| $15.92 | No condition stated by DOL |
Premium pay after designated hours: Weekly - 40. DOL footnote 1: The overtime premium rate is one and one-half times the employee's regular rate, unless otherwise specified.
Scheduled increases
DOL lists no dated increase for New Jersey but states that the rate is adjusted annually by a formula set in state law. The next figure is published by the state, usually before January 1 or July 1; this page shows the rate DOL carried on July 1, 2026.
Tipped employees
New Jersey requires a cash wage above the federal tipped minimum of $2.13; the employer may count tips toward the rest, up to the tip credit shown.
| Row | Combined cash and tip minimum | Maximum tip credit | Minimum cash wage | Tipped employee defined by monthly tips of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $15.92 | $9.87 | $6.05 | More than $30 |
- DOL footnote 6: New Jersey. An employer is eligible to apply a tip credit against the full state minimum hourly wage only if the tipped employees have been informed in advance of the amount of the cash wage that is to be paid; the amount of the tip credit claimed by the employer; that all tips received must be retained by the employee, except in case of a valid tip pool arrangement limited to tipped employees; and of the requirements of the relevant New Jersey regulations. There is a minimum wage of $15.23 per hour for employers who employ fewer than 6 people and employees engaged in seasonal employment.
A dash means DOL left the cell blank. DOL's general footnote 1: Other additional deductions are permitted, for example for meals and lodging.
What DOL also notes
- The minimum wage is adjusted annually based on a set formula.
- There is a minimum wage of $15.23 per hour for employers who employ fewer than 6 people and employees engaged in seasonal employment.
Neighbors and the federal floor
| State | State rate | Floor for FLSA-covered employers |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $15.92 | $15.92 |
| New York | $17.00 | $17.00 |
| Delaware | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Federal (FLSA) | $7.25 | $7.25 |
More than one law can apply
DOL states that where federal, state and local minimum wage laws all cover an employer, the employer must pay the highest applicable rate. Whether a particular job is covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, by New Jersey's law, or by a city or county ordinance depends on facts this site does not assess. City and county rates are not in DOL's table and are not shown here. This page describes published rates and is not legal advice; for how to raise an underpayment, see FastGuide.
Take-home pay and benefits calculators for New Jersey
FastCalc, a sister site, has these calculators for New Jersey. Each takes your own figures; this site computes nothing.
Related
- New Jersey wage profile: what occupations actually pay in New Jersey, from BLS data.
- Minimum wage by state and the federal minimum wage.
- Federal versus state minimum wage and tipped wages and tip credits.
- Take-home pay calculator on FastCalc for what $15.92 an hour leaves after withholding; this site computes nothing.