New Jersey minimum wage 2025: $15.49/hr
Current New Jersey minimum wage for non-tipped workers, tipped workers, overtime rules, exemptions, scheduled increases, and how $15.49/hr compares to the federal rate and to other US states. Verified against New Jersey's labor department.
Data last updated: Jan 15, 2025Key Takeaways
- New Jersey minimum wage: $15.49/hr (effective 2025-01-01).
- Tipped minimum: $5.62/hr.
- Higher than federal: $8.24 above the $7.25 federal minimum.
- Next increase: Annual CPI adjustments. Seasonal and small employer rates are catching up to the full rate.
What is the minimum wage in New Jersey?
The $New Jersey minimum wage is $15.49 per hour as of 2025-01-01. A full-time employee working 40 hours per week at this rate earns approximately $32,219 per year in gross pay before taxes.
New Jersey's rate exceeds the federal minimum of $7.25/hr by $8.24. When state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay whichever is higher, so New Jersey employers must pay the state rate to all workers covered by state wage laws.
Tipped minimum wage in New Jersey
New Jersey allows employers to pay tipped employees a reduced base wage of $5.62/hr, provided that tips bring the employee's total hourly earnings to at least the full state minimum of $15.49/hr. This is called a "tip credit."
If a tipped employee's tips fall short of the standard minimum wage for any pay period, the employer must make up the difference. Example: a server earns $5.62/hr base plus $8.87/hr in tips during a slow shift. Because total earnings ($14.49/hr) are below the $15.49/hr standard minimum, the employer owes the difference.
How New Jersey compares nationally
Across all 51 US jurisdictions, minimum wage ranges from $5.15/hr (Wyoming, the lowest) to $17.50/hr (District of Columbia, the highest). New Jersey sits at #6 of 51, meaning it's in the top quarter.
Local minimum wages in New Jersey
None. State law sets a uniform rate.
If a city or county has a higher local minimum wage, employers in that jurisdiction must pay the higher local rate. State law is a floor, not a ceiling, for local minimum wage ordinances.
Scheduled future increases
Annual CPI adjustments. Seasonal and small employer rates are catching up to the full rate.
Overtime rules in New Jersey
Federal FLSA rules apply. New Jersey does not have separate state overtime provisions.
Minimum wage exemptions
Seasonal workers and agricultural laborers have phased-in rates. Small businesses (fewer than 6 employees) follow a delayed schedule.
What to do if you're underpaid
Underpayment below the legal minimum is a wage-and-hour law violation. Your options:
- File a state wage claim. The $New Jersey labor department accepts wage claims and can pursue unpaid wages, penalties, and liquidated damages on your behalf. See the source links below for direct links.
- File a federal Department of Labor complaint. The US DOL Wage and Hour Division handles FLSA violations. Federal filings have a 2-year statute of limitations (3 years for willful violations).
- Consult an employment lawyer. Significant underpayment or retaliation claims often warrant a private attorney. Many employment lawyers work on contingency. See our New Jersey employment lawyer directory.
- Document everything. Save pay stubs, timesheets, and employer communications. The burden of proof for unpaid wages usually rests on the employee.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the minimum wage in New Jersey in 2025?
The New Jersey minimum wage is $15.49 per hour for non-tipped workers, effective 2025-01-01. This is $8.24 higher than the federal minimum of $7.25/hr, so New Jersey employers must pay the state rate. New Jersey ranks #6 of 51 US jurisdictions by minimum wage level.
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What is the tipped minimum wage in New Jersey?
The New Jersey tipped minimum wage is $5.62 per hour. Employers can pay tipped employees this lower rate as long as tips bring their total hourly earnings up to at least the full state minimum wage ($15.49/hr). If tips don't make up the difference, the employer must cover the gap. The federal tipped minimum is $2.13/hr, so states with no separate tipped wage effectively require employers to pay the full minimum up front.
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Does New Jersey pay higher than the federal minimum wage?
Yes. New Jersey's $15.49/hr is $8.24 above the federal minimum of $7.25/hr. When state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay the higher of the two, so New Jersey employers are required to pay the state rate.
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How much is a full-time minimum-wage job in New Jersey?
At $15.49/hr for a standard 40-hour week, a full-time minimum-wage worker in New Jersey earns approximately $32,219/year gross before taxes. Take-home pay varies by local tax rate, employee benefits, and whether the employer offers paid leave. Overtime hours (over 40/week, or in some states over 8/day) are paid at time-and-a-half or more.
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Are there local minimum wages in New Jersey that differ from the state rate?
Yes. None. State law sets a uniform rate. When a local ordinance sets a higher minimum wage, employers in that jurisdiction must pay the higher local rate. Check your specific city or county's ordinance if you work in an urban area.
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Are minimum wage increases scheduled in New Jersey?
Yes. Annual CPI adjustments. Seasonal and small employer rates are catching up to the full rate. Check the New Jersey DOLWD – Minimum Wage for the current effective schedule.
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What happens if my employer pays less than the New Jersey minimum wage?
Underpayment is a violation of state and federal wage-and-hour law. Remedies usually include recovery of unpaid wages, interest, liquidated damages (often doubling the amount owed), and attorney's fees. You can file a wage claim with the New Jersey labor department, file a federal Department of Labor complaint, or bring a private lawsuit. The filing deadline varies; federal FLSA claims have a 2-year statute of limitations (3 years for willful violations). Consult a New Jersey employment lawyer for significant underpayment claims.