On Oct. 11, NJ LEG reported on Statewide increase in minimum wage.
NJ LEG reported minimum wage will increase to $15.49 per hour for most employees.
Follows NJ LEG Jan. 2022 reported schedule to gradually increase wages, see #125801
Summary
PL 2019 Ch. 32 (AB 15), which was enacted in Feb. 2019, established the schedules to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024 for most employees.
The minimum wage rate for employees of seasonal and small employers will continue to increase gradually until 2028 in order to lessen the impact on those businesses.
Also, 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.
Hourly minimum wage for long-term care facility direct care staff will rise to $18.49.
Once statutory increases in wage rate are completed for employees of small/seasonal employers and those who work on a farm, they will continue to increase annually.
Finally, the minimum cash wage rate for tipped workers will rise to $5.62/hour from $5.26, with the maximum tip credit employers can claim to remain at $9.87.
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.
Effectiveness
Statewide minimum wage increase to $15.49 per hour becomes effective Jan. 1, 2025.
