The minimum wage in New Jersey increased to $15.92 per hour on Jan. 1, a jump of 43
cents per hour, the state announced.
The latest increase, tied to a rise in the consumer price index, comes as part of the
landmark 2019 bill that has nearly doubled the minimum wage in the state (it was $8.60
in 2018).
There are exceptions: 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.
Harder to fathom is why the minimum wage for agricultural work is increased at a
slower rate. 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 maximum benefit rates and taxable wage base for a number of other categories
also increased:
- Unemployment Insurance: From $875 to $905;
- Temporary Disability Insurance and Family Leave Insurance: From $1,081 to
$1,119; - Workers’ Compensation benefit rate for temporary disability, permanent total
disability, permanent partial disability and dependency rises: From $1,159 to
$1,199.
The maximum benefit rates and the taxable wage base are recalculated each year
based on the statewide average weekly wage in the second preceding calendar year, in
accordance with the laws governing these programs. The benefit rates and taxable
wage base for 2026 reflect the $1,598.66 average weekly wage for 2024, which rose by
3.4 percent from $1,545.60 in 2023.
The taxable wage base for workers covered under the Unemployment Compensation
Law, which is the level of wages that are subject to contributions under that law,
increases to $44,800 in 2026 from $43,300 in 2025.
The taxable wage base for workers covered under the Temporary Disability Insurance
and Family Leave Insurance programs increases to $171,100 in 2026 from $165,400 in
2025.
