New Jersey minimum wage 2027: $16.48 an hour

New Jersey minimum wage 2027: $16.48 per hour from January 1, 2027 (most workers) (NJDOL Wage and Hour employer FAQ; NJDOL home page). Verified Nov 12, 2026 on two official pages.

“A. Effective January 1, 2027, the New Jersey minimum wage is $16.48 per hour for most workers.”

Second official source: “As of January 1, 2027, the minimum wage rate for most NJ workers is $16.48 per hour.” (NJDOL home page).

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What changes for New Jersey employers in 2027

Rate in force now: New Jersey minimum wage is $15.92 per hour for most employees. (New Jersey minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026); NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development press release (Oct 1, 2025); verified Sep 27, 2026).

Who the New Jersey minimum wage covers, in the verified rules in force now:

• Employers with fewer than 6 employees and seasonal employers: minimum wage of $15.23 per hour. (New Jersey minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026); NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development press release (Oct 1, 2025); verified Sep 27, 2026)

Other New Jersey minimum rates

• Training wage: “Commencing on January 1, 2020, a training wage of not less than 90 percent of the minimum wage rate otherwise set pursuant to subsection a. of this section may be paid to an employee who is enrolled in an established employer on-the-job or other training program which meets standards set by regulations adopted by the commissioner.” (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4)

Paying the minimum wage in New Jersey: paydays, final pay and breaks

• Paydays: Wages must be paid at least twice during each calendar month on regular paydays designated in advance; bona fide executive, supervisory and other special classifications may be paid once per month. (New Jersey payday (U.S. DOL WHD, State Payday Requirements table row); N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.2 (NJDOL, Selected NJ State Labor Laws and Regulations); verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Final pay after a firing: Whether the employee is fired or quits, the employer must pay all wages due no later than the regular payday for the pay period in which the employment ended. (N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.3; NJ Department of Labor, Wage and Hour employer FAQs; verified Sep 24, 2026)
• Final pay after a resignation: Whether the employee is fired or quits, the employer must pay all wages due no later than the regular payday for the pay period in which the employment ended. (N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.3; NJ Department of Labor, Wage and Hour employer FAQs; verified Sep 24, 2026)
• Meal breaks: No state meal break requirement for adult employees; the mandatory break law applies only to minors under the age of 18. (U.S. DOL WHD, Table of Meal Period Requirements Under State Law (New Jersey not listed); NJDOL Wage and Hour Compliance FAQs (for Employers); verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Rest breaks: No state rest break requirement for adult employees; company policy dictates breaks for anyone over the age of 18. (U.S. DOL WHD, Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law, footnote 1; NJDOL Wage and Hour Compliance FAQs (for Employers); verified Sep 27, 2026)

Every verified rule for the state, with the law cited: New Jersey employer rulebook.

Exempt salary threshold in 2027: Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026

Each change with its official text: New Jersey rules.

New Jersey minimum wage rates: now, 2027 and next

How the next New Jersey rate is set

“on January 1 of 2020 and January 1 of each subsequent year, the minimum wage shall be increased by any increase in the consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) as calculated by the federal government for the 12 months prior to the September 30 preceding that January 1” (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4 (NJDOL Wage and Hour laws page))

2027 minimum wage: New Jersey and neighboring states

Each state links to its rulebook, and to its own 2027 minimum wage page where we have one. The same rows, for every state, are in the 2027 table by state.

How to act on it

Full-time pay at the 2027 rate (computed: hourly rate × 40 hours a week and × 2,080 hours a year, before taxes): $16.48 = $659.20 a week, $34,278 a year.

Questions about the New Jersey minimum wage in 2027

Sources (16)

• NJDOL Wage and Hour employer FAQ
• NJDOL home page
• New Jersey minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026)
• U.S. DOL thresholds page
• eCFR 29 CFR 541.600
• NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development press release (Oct 1, 2025)
• New Jersey payday (U.S. DOL WHD, State Payday Requirements table row)
• N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.2 (NJDOL, Selected NJ State Labor Laws and Regulations)
• U.S. DOL WHD, Table of Meal Period Requirements Under State Law (New Jersey not listed)
• U.S. DOL WHD, Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law, footnote 1
• N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4
• U.S. DOL minimum wage page
• 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo)
• NY DOL minimum wage page
• PA L&I minimum wage report 2025
• Delaware DOL Wage & Hour page

Checked Nov 12, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error

Where this goes next

StateNew Jersey employer rulebookAll 51 statesMinimum wage by state 20272027Every New Jersey change in 2027ToolHourly to salary calculator