New Jersey’s minimum wage is set to increase from $15.49 to $15.92 per hour for most employees starting in 2026. The 43-cent increase represents a nearly 3 percent rise over the current minimum wage.
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced the change on October 1 as part of its annual adjustment process, which ties wage increases to inflation data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Eight years ago, Governor Murphy pledged a stronger, fairer economy, and we’re delivering on this commitment by raising New Jersey’s minimum wage again,” Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said in a statement released by the NJDOL. “This increase will provide vital support to all Garden State workers by making the dream of a livable wage reality.”
Wage Breakdown
Starting on January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for small business and seasonal employees will rise from $14.53 to $15.23 per hour. Agricultural workers, whose pay increases follow a separate timeline through 2030, will see their hourly rate grow from $13.40 to $14.20.
Tipped workers, who are paid on a different wage structure, will earn a minimum wage of $6.05 an hour, an increase from the current $5.62.
Employees in long-term care facilities will see their base wage increase from $18.49 to $18.92 per hour.
Background
The 2026 adjustment continues a steady upward trend for New Jersey wages. Since 2018, the NJ minimum wage has nearly doubled, when it stood at $8.60. Legislation signed in 2019 established a path to reach $15 per hour by 2024—a goal the state hit—followed by annual inflation-based increases.
The state’s Constitution mandates that minimum wages be reviewed and adjusted each year based on Consumer Price Index data. Once scheduled increases for small and seasonal employers conclude in 2028 and for farmworkers in 2030, all categories will move forward under the same inflation-based system.
What Employers Should Know About NJ Minimum Wage Changes
Businesses across the state are being urged to review payroll structures ahead of the new year to ensure compliance. The NJDOL also encourages employers to stay informed on rules affecting tipped employees and agricultural laborers.
More information about worker protections and wage laws can be found here.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.