Money

By Sam Barron From Daily Voice

Employees making minimum wage in the Garden State will see their bank accounts get a boost next year.

New Jersey’s statewide minimum wage will increase by $0.43 to $15.92 per hour for most employees, effective January 1, 2026.

Under the law, the minimum wage rate for employees of seasonal and small employers will continue to increase gradually until 2028 to lessen the impact on those businesses. The minimum hourly wage for these employees will increase to $15.23 on Jan. 1, up from $14.53.

The minimum wage is set using any increase in the Consumer Price Index data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Agricultural workers are guided by a separate minimum wage timetable under the law and their minimum wage rate will continue to increase incrementally until 2030. E

Employees who work on a farm for an hourly or piece-rate wage will see their minimum hourly wage increase to $14.20, up from $13.40. Additionally, long-term care facility direct care staff will see their minimum hourly wage rise by $0.43, to $18.92.

The minimum cash wage rate for tipped workers will rise to $6.05 an hour from $5.62, with the maximum tip credit employers are able to claim remaining at $9.87. 

For more information on the state minimum wage, click here.