New Jersey Minimum Wage & Labor Laws (2026)
In 2026, the New Jersey minimum wage is $15.92/hour. Overtime is 1.5× the regular rate over 40 hours a week. Below are the wage, overtime, final-paycheck and break rules, a calculator pre-set to New Jersey, and how to file a wage claim if you're owed money.
- Overtime
- 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. New Jersey follows the federal FLSA weekly rule.
- Tipped pay
- $6.05/hr cash. Employers may take a tip credit; cash wage plus tips must reach $15.92/hr.
- Final paycheck
- Fired: Next regular payday. Quit: Next regular payday.
- Meal & rest breaks
- Meal: No state requirement for adults (follows federal). Rest: No state requirement (none mandated).
New Jersey pay & overtime calculator
Pre-set to New Jersey. Enter your rate and hours.
Your hours
Your pay this week
OT $30.00/hrNew Jersey follows the FLSA weekly rule: 1.5× the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
New Jersey figures are current for 2026 and compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor and New Jersey's labor department. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and industry rules vary, so confirm with your state labor department before relying on this for payroll or a legal decision.
Next change: minimum wage $16.48 on January 1, 2027
Most employers; seasonal and small (under 6 employees) employers $16.25. Official source. Get a reminder before it starts.
How to file a wage claim in New Jersey
To recover unpaid wages in New Jersey, file with New Jersey Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour. Federal law lets you claim up to 2 years of back pay (3 if the violation was willful), plus an equal amount in liquidated damages.
- Agency
- New Jersey Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour. File a wage claim
- Federal window
- 2 years of back pay, or 3 if the violation was willful, plus equal liquidated damages.
- New Jersey adds
- New Jersey allows liquidated damages of up to 200% of the unpaid wages.
Step by step
- 1Gather your records
Collect pay stubs, time records, schedules and any texts about hours. In New Jersey, your own honest records can carry a claim if the employer's are missing.
- 2Work out what you're owed
The back-pay estimator adds up the unpaid wages and how far back you can recover them.
- 3Send a written demand
Many disputes settle after a dated letter that states the amount owed and the deadline you're giving the employer to pay.
- 4File with New Jersey Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour
If the employer doesn't pay, file a wage claim with the agency below. Filing is free and you don't need a lawyer.
- 5Mind the deadline
Federal claims must be filed within 2 years (3 if willful). Your state may set a shorter deadline for its own process, so don't wait.
New Jersey wage claim questions
Who do I file an unpaid-wage claim with in New Jersey?
New Jersey Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour. You can also sue in court, often with an employment attorney.
How far back can I recover unpaid wages in New Jersey?
Federal law (FLSA) allows 2 years of back pay, or 3 years for a willful violation, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages. New Jersey allows liquidated damages of up to 200% of the unpaid wages.
Can my employer retaliate for filing a wage claim in New Jersey?
No. Federal and state law prohibit firing, demoting or punishing you for asserting your right to be paid. Retaliation is a separate violation you can also claim.