Important Update Regarding New Jersey Minumum Wage in 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in New Jersey increased to $15.92 for most employers. Going forward between now and the year 2032, the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) will revise the minimum wage based on any percentage increase of the consumer price index. No later than September 30 of each year, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 12:56-3.1(d) the Department will publish a notice of the adjusted minimum wage on its website at https://www.nj.gov/labor.
As of the date of this article, that chart is currently listed as follows:
There are exceptions to the 2026 New Jersey minimum wage rates for several occupations, including certain students employed by the college or university at which they are enrolled, outside sales persons, sales person of motor vehicles, part time employees primarily engaged in the care and tending of children in the home of the employer, minors under 18 years of age, and non-profit summer camp employees. N.J.A.C. 12:56-3.6. Additionally, long term care facility direct care staff members must be paid $3.00 more per hour in excess of the minimum hourly wage. N.J.A.C. 12:56-3.7. Finally, special rules exist for determining the minimum wage rate for seasonal and small employers, agricultural employers, on-the-job training program employees, and tipped workers. N.J.A.C. 12:56-3.2- 3.5.
If you are a company or a professional tasked with compliance of New Jersey Minimum Wage law, and you seek assistance with any of the aforementioned, please contact the Employment Law Group of the law firm of Davison Eastman Munoz Paone, P.A. at 732.462.7170 or [email protected].
THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE.
Article written by Elizabeth Trottier, Esq.
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