New Jersey · Checked October 25, 2026
New Jersey minimum wage, overtime and final paycheck rules
The New Jersey minimum wage is $15.92 an hour. Next: $16.48 from January 1, 2027.
Minimum wage
New Jersey: $15.92 an hour. $15.23 for seasonal employers and employers with fewer than 6 employees.
Coming up: $16.48 on January 1, 2027 ($16.25 seasonal and small employers; tipped cash wage $6.61).
Tipped employees
Lowest cash wage before tips: $6.05. Tips plus the cash wage must reach at least the full minimum wage each workweek, or the employer makes up the difference.
Overtime
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek, the federal rule. New Jersey does not add a daily overtime rule.
Final paycheck
| Fired or laid off | Next scheduled payday |
|---|---|
| Quits | Next scheduled payday |
| Law | N.J. Stat. 34:11-4.3 |
Take-home pay in New Jersey
See what a paycheck looks like after federal and New Jersey taxes with the New Jersey paycheck calculator.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Consolidated State Minimum Wage Table (July 1, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026)
- New Jersey Department of Labor, minimum wage increase for 2027 (Sept 29, 2026)
- Final pay: Nolo, Final Paycheck Laws by State (statute citations listed per state)
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in New Jersey?
$15.92 an hour as of October 25, 2026. $15.23 for seasonal employers and employers with fewer than 6 employees.
Is the New Jersey minimum wage going up in 2027?
$16.48 on January 1, 2027 ($16.25 seasonal and small employers; tipped cash wage $6.61).
When is a final paycheck due in New Jersey?
If fired or laid off: next scheduled payday. If the employee quits: next scheduled payday.
These are summaries of state law for general information, not legal advice. Cities and counties can set higher minimums, and special rules cover minors, trainees, farm work and some industries. Check with the state labor department before you make a pay decision.