USA: New Jersey 2027 Minimum Wage Rises to $16.48/Hour

New Jersey will increase its minimum wage to $16.48 per hour for most employees effective 1 January 2027. The $0.56 increase, or 3.5%, reflects the CPI-W adjustment required under the New Jersey Constitution. Separate minimum wage rates will apply to tipped workers, seasonal and small employers, agricultural workers, and long-term care direct care staff.

Effective Date

• 1 January 2027

Published

• New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development – 29 September 2026

Payroll action

• Update New Jersey payroll systems to apply the $16.48 per hour standard minimum wage from 1 January 2027.
• Update tipped employee payroll calculations to apply the $6.61 cash wage and maximum $9.87 tip credit, with automatic top-up where required.
• Apply the $16.25 rate for eligible seasonal and small employers with fewer than 6 employees.
• Update agricultural worker payroll calculations to apply the $15.00 per hour minimum wage.
• Apply the $19.48 per hour minimum wage for direct care staff working in long-term care facilities.
• Review wage structures for potential compression between minimum-wage employees and supervisory or higher-paid roles.
• Confirm employer-size classifications are correctly configured in payroll systems for the seasonal and small-employer rate.
• Replace required New Jersey minimum wage posters at applicable worksites before the new rates take effect.

nj.gov