Current Minimum Wage in New Jersey
The minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.49 per hour as of 2026. This is $8.24 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr.
Wage Breakdown
| Pay Period | Gross Pay | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $15.49 | 1 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $123.92 | 8 |
| Weekly | $620 | 40 |
| Biweekly | $1,239 | 80 |
| Monthly | $2,685 | ~173 |
| Annual | $32,219 | 2,080 |
Tipped Employee Wage
Tipped workers in New Jersey can be paid a cash wage of $5.62/hr, with the expectation that tips make up the difference to the full $15.49/hr minimum. If tips don't bring total compensation to the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Scheduled Increases
Adjusted annually based on CPI inflation.
Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage
Federal Poverty Line (single)
$15,060/year
Minimum wage is $17,159 above poverty line
Estimated Living Wage (NJ)
~$19.58/hr
Based on cost of living index (115.2)
Cost of Living Context
New Jersey's cost of living index is 115.2 (national average = 100). This means living in New Jersey is 15.2% more expensive than the national average. The median hourly wage in New Jersey is $24.24/hr, which is 56% above the minimum wage.
Key Facts
Reached $15/hr in 2024, now adjusting annually for CPI. Seasonal workers have a lower rate.
How This Compares
| Metric | NJ | Federal | Highest (WA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $15.49 | $7.25 | $16.66 |
| Tipped Wage | $5.62 | $2.13 | $16.66 |
| Annual (FT) | $32,219 | $15,080 | $34,653 |
Useful Resources
New Jersey Average Salary
Median income and top employers in NJ
New Jersey Tax Rates
Income, sales & property tax in NJ
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