What is New Jersey's minimum wage in 2026?
New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 an hour for most employees in 2026, effective January 1, 2026[nj25]. Different groups of workers have their own rates, and the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development announces every rate each fall for the next January:
| Worker group | 2025 | 2026 | Jan. 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most employees | $15.49 | $15.92 | $16.48 |
| Seasonal and small employers (fewer than 6 employees) | $14.53 | $15.23 | $16.25 |
| Agricultural (hourly or piece-rate) | $13.40 | $14.20 | $15.00 |
| Long-term care facility direct care staff | – | $18.92 | $19.48 |
| Tipped workers: cash wage | $5.62 | $6.05 | $6.61 |
| Tipped workers: maximum tip credit | $9.87 | $9.87 | $9.87 |
The 2026 column and the prior-year figures come from the October 1, 2025 announcement. The general 2025 rate of $15.49 is the 2026 rate less the 43-cent increase the department announced[nj25]. The 2027 column is from the September 29, 2026 announcement[nj26]. For context, the Labor Department's history table shows New Jersey at $13.00 in 2022, $14.13 in 2023 and $15.13 in 2024[dol3].
Small, seasonal and farm employers in New Jersey
Small and seasonal employers pay a lower rate until 2028, and farms until 2030. Two groups are on longer statutory schedules[nj26]:
- Small and seasonal employers. This covers businesses with fewer than six employees and seasonal work. Their rate is $15.23 in 2026 and $16.25 in 2027, and their scheduled increases finish in 2028. The federal Labor Department's consolidated table also lists the two-tier structure[dol1].
- Agricultural workers. They reach $15.00 on January 1, 2027 under P.L. 2019, c. 32, and their schedule runs until 2030.
Once those schedules end, every New Jersey rate is adjusted each year for inflation.
Direct care staff in long-term care facilities are paid above the general rate: $18.92 in 2026 and $19.48 in 2027. That is $3.00 above the general rate in both years, and it rises by the same 56 cents in 2027[nj26].
NJ minimum wage 2027 and the CPI adjustment
The general rate goes to $16.48 on January 1, 2027 because the state adjusts it each year for inflation. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development bases the increase on Consumer Price Index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It announced the 2027 rates on September 29, 2026, a 56-cent rise for most workers[nj26]. The 2026 increase was 43 cents, announced on October 1, 2025[nj25].
Full-time work at the 2026 rate pays $33,114 a year before tax; at $16.48 it pays $34,278. On the calculator's 2026 withholding settings, a single filer keeps about $27,953 at $15.92 and about $28,855 at $16.48.
Tipped workers and overtime in New Jersey
A tipped employee in New Jersey must get a cash wage of at least $6.05 an hour in 2026 ($6.61 in 2027), and tips can cover up to $9.87 of the minimum. If the cash wage plus tips does not reach the full minimum wage, the employer must pay the difference[nj26]. The Labor Department's tipped table adds that the tip credit is only available with advance notice to the employee and other conditions[dol2].
Overtime under the federal rule is time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek[flsa]: $23.88 an hour at $15.92, and $24.72 at the 2027 rate. New Jersey-specific overtime exemptions are not covered on this page.
New Jersey minimum wage after taxes
A full-time job at $15.92 an hour is $33,114 a year before tax (2,080 hours). After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and New Jersey withholding, a single worker keeps about $27,953, or $1,075.10 every two weeks. Change hours, overtime or W-4 details in the calculator below; for other pay levels use the New Jersey paycheck calculator.
| Hours a week | Weekly gross | Yearly gross | Yearly take-home | Take-home per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | $318.40 | $16,557 | $14,871 | $14.30 |
| 30 | $477.60 | $24,835 | $21,463 | $13.76 |
| 40 | $636.80 | $33,114 | $27,953 | $13.44 |
Take-home at minimum wage
New Jersey minimum wage paycheck
Preset to $15.92 an hour, 40 hours a week, paid every two weeks.
Take-home pay$1,075.10every two weeks · $27,953 a year
| Item | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings | ||
| Gross pay | $1,273.60 | $33,113.60 |
| Taxes | ||
| Federal income tax | −$68.99 | −$1,793.63 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$78.96 | −$2,053.04 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$18.47 | −$480.15 |
| New Jersey income tax | −$21.32 | −$554.32 |
| NJ unemployment/workforce (0.425%) | −$5.41 | −$140.73 |
| NJ disability insurance (0.19%) | −$2.42 | −$62.92 |
| NJ family leave insurance (0.23%) | −$2.93 | −$76.16 |
| Total taxes | −$198.50 | −$5,160.95 |
| Net pay | $1,075.10 | $27,952.65 |
Taxes take 15.6% of gross pay in New Jersey. Your top federal withholding bracket is 12%.
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Related pay tools
Overtime at the minimum wage is $23.88 an hour (time and a half): see the time and a half calculator. Add up shifts with the time card calculator, and compare states with the state tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is New Jersey's minimum wage?
$15.92 an hour for most workers in 2026. Seasonal employers and businesses with fewer than six employees pay at least $15.23, agricultural workers $14.20, and tipped workers a $6.05 cash wage plus tips.
What will the NJ minimum wage be in 2027?
$16.48 an hour for most workers from January 1, 2027. Small and seasonal employers move to $16.25, agricultural workers to $15.00 and long-term care direct care staff to $19.48.
What is the minimum wage for tipped workers in NJ?
A cash wage of $6.05 an hour in 2026 and $6.61 in 2027, with a maximum tip credit of $9.87. The employer must make up any shortfall if tips do not bring pay to the full minimum.
How much is $15.92 an hour a year after taxes in New Jersey?
Full time is $33,114 a year before tax. A single filer with a standard 2026 W-4 keeps about $27,953 after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and New Jersey withholding and payroll contributions.