Isiah Christie 
The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development (NJDOL) announced on Tuesday, September 29th, that the state’s minimum wage will be increasing by $0.56, to $16.48 per hour, for most employees. The change will be effective January 1st, 2027. According to NJDOL, the wage increase is based on any increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which is provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Keep reading to learn about the minimum wage increase in New Jersey for 2027.
What to Know
The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development (NJDOL) has announced a minimum wage increase in New Jersey, effective January 1st, 2027. The increase will be by $0.56, bringing the rate to $16.48 per hour for most employees in the state.
For agricultural workers, the hourly rate will increase to $15 per hour from $14.20. This will be the first time farm employees working for an hourly or piece-rate wage will earn the benchmark $15 rate under P.L. 2019, c. 32, a 2024 landmark law that incrementally increased the minimum wage to $15 per hour through an extended timetable for these workers.
For seasonal and small employers (fewer than six employees), the rate will increase to $16.25 on January 1st, from $15.23. Long-term care facility direct care staff will see their minimum hourly wage rise by $0.56, to $19.48.
The minimum cash wage rate for tipped workers will rise to $6.61 an hour, from $6.05. The maximum tip credit employers are able to claim will remain at $9.87. In the case the minimum cash wage, in addition to an employee’s tips, does not equal at least the state minimum wage, then the employer must pay the employee the difference.
To learn more about the minimum wage increase and how it affects different worker groups, visit the State of New Jersey’s website here.
See More: Where To Donate Everything in Bergen County
Follow @thenewjerseygirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest updates on Hoboken, Montclair, Bergen County, and more, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.
