NEW JERSEY – The new year brought in a new minimum wage for hundreds of thousands of New Jersey workers.
Under state law, the statewide minimum wage increased on January 1, 2025, by $0.36 to be set at $15.49 per hour for most employees.
According to state lawmakers, the minimum wage increase will impact more than 350,00 New Jersey workers.
“Aligning the state minimum wage with any increases in the cost of living is a critical step towards economic fairness and security for all New Jersey workers,” said New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “This adjustment fosters a more equitable economy and ensures our workforce can continue to thrive.”
Workers in various business sectors also will see an increase in their paycheck. Long-term care facility direct care staff will see their minimum hourly wage rise by $0.36 to be set at $18.49. The minimum cash wage rate for tipped workers also will increase from $5.26 per house to $5.62 per hour. The maximum tip credit employers are able to claim remaining will be set at $9.87. Under state law, if the minimum cash wage plus an employee’s tips do not equal at least the state minimum wage, then the employer must pay the employee the difference.
The law also requires the minimum wage rate for employees of seasonal and small employers to continue to increase gradually until 2028 to lessen the impact on those businesses. The minimum hourly wage for these employees also increased on January 1 from $13.74 to $14.53.
Agricultural workers, who are guided by a separate minimum wage timetable, will see minimum wage rates continue to increase incrementally until 2030. Employees who work on a farm for an hourly or piece-rate wage will see their minimum hourly wage increase to $13.40, up from $12.81. For more information about the New Jersey minimum wage, go to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Article courtesy of TAPinto Mount Laurel.