New Jersey's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.92 an hour, $8.67 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. It rises to $16.48 on Jan 1, 2027. Full time, that is $33,114 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $27,933 a year, or $1,074.33 every two weeks.
What the New Jersey minimum wage pays
| At $15.92 | From Jan 1, 2027 ($16.48) | |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $15.92 | $16.48 |
| Per 8-hour day | $127.36 | $131.84 |
| Per 40-hour week | $636.80 | $659.20 |
| Every two weeks | $1,273.60 | $1,318.40 |
| Per month | $2,759.47 | $2,856.53 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $33,113.60 | $34,278.40 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $1,074.33 | $1,109.05 |
| Take-home per year | $27,932.58 | $28,835.30 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and New Jersey income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $16,557 a year and about $14,856 after taxes.
New Jersey minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 an hour for most workers in 2026. It rises to $16.48 an hour on January 1, 2027. | NJ Department of Labor, press release September 29, 2026 |
| Small, seasonal and farm employers | Workers at employers with fewer than 6 employees and seasonal workers earn at least $15.23 an hour in 2026, rising to $16.25 on January 1, 2027. Farm workers go from $14.20 to $15.00. | NJ Department of Labor, press release September 29, 2026 |
| Tipped employees | Tipped workers must get a cash wage of at least $6.05 an hour in 2026, rising to $6.61 on January 1, 2027. Your cash wage plus tips must reach the full minimum wage. | NJ Department of Labor, press release September 29, 2026 |
| Overtime | You earn time and a half for hours actually worked over 40 in a seven-day workweek. Paid holidays or sick hours you did not work do not count toward the 40. | NJ Division of Wage and Hour Compliance, FAQs for Workers |
How New Jersey's minimum wage compares
New Jersey has the 8th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC.
The typical (median) worker in New Jersey earns $28.16 an hour, so the minimum wage is 57% of the median wage. 10% of New Jersey workers earn less than $16.56 an hour and 25% less than $18.94 (BLS, May 2025, all 4,285,720 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in New Jersey, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $15.49 | 3,440 |
| Gambling Dealers | $15.87 | 3,030 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $16.37 | 9,420 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $16.42 | 93,730 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $16.43 | 16,490 |
| Physical Therapist Aides | $16.55 | 2,230 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $33,114 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | None |
| 1 child | $2,953 | $4,115 |
| 2 children | $5,374 | $6,905 |
| 3 children or more | $6,289 | $7,820 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $33,114 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $828 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,656. Source
New Jersey minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in New Jersey?
$15.92 an hour. It rises to $16.48 on Jan 1, 2027.
How much is the New Jersey minimum wage a year?
$33,114 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,759 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $27,933.
How much is the New Jersey minimum wage after taxes?
About $1,074.33 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and New Jersey taxes.
Is New Jersey's minimum wage going up?
Yes. It rises to $16.48 an hour on Jan 1, 2027, adding $1,165 a year for a full-time worker.
What is time and a half at the New Jersey minimum wage?
$23.88 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Hawaii minimum wage ($16.00) · New York minimum wage ($16.00) · Rhode Island minimum wage ($16.00) · Oregon minimum wage ($15.55) · Colorado minimum wage ($15.16) · Arizona minimum wage ($15.15) · Maine minimum wage ($15.10) · Delaware minimum wage ($15.00)
Related
New Jersey paycheck calculator · $16 an hour is how much a year · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $15.92
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.