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New Jersey's Minimum Wage to Increase to $15.92/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1

New Jerseysub_regulatoryNJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development (NJDOL)

What this rule requires your agency to do

  • 1For tipped workers, employers must pay a minimum cash wage of at least $6.05 per hour (maximum tip credit $9.87), and must make up the difference if cash wage plus tips do not equal the state minimum wage.(New Jersey's Minimum Wage to Increase to $15.92/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1)
  • 2Effective January 1, 2026, seasonal and small employers must pay a minimum wage of at least $15.23 per hour.(New Jersey's Minimum Wage to Increase to $15.92/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1)
  • 3Effective January 1, 2026, employers must pay most employees a minimum wage of at least $15.92 per hour (increased from $15.49).(New Jersey's Minimum Wage to Increase to $15.92/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1)
  • 4Effective January 1, 2026, long-term care facility direct care staff must be paid a minimum wage of at least $18.92 per hour (set $3.00 above the general minimum wage pursuant to P.L. 2021, c.113).(New Jersey's Minimum Wage to Increase to $15.92/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1)

Applies to: cross-cutting

NJDOL notice announcing the January 1, 2026 minimum wage increase to $15.92/hour for most employees and $18.92/hour for long-term care facility direct care staff.

Regulatory information, not legal advice — always confirm against the cited official source. Verification reduces error; it does not certify compliance.