New Jersey’s Minimum Wage increases to $12 per hour starting January 1, 2021
The 2021 minimum wage for most employees in New Jersey will be $12 per hour -- an increase from $11 per hour in 2020.
The minimum wage for tipped employees is increasing to $4.13 per hour, up from $3.13 per hour in 2020.
There are exceptions to the $12 per hour minimum wage requirement such as employees in “training” seasonal employees, “small” employers (fewer than 6 employees), agricultural workers and direct care staff at long-term care facilities.
In training employees are to receive a “training wage” that is equal to at least 90% of the minimum wage for the first 120 hours of work.
Seasonal employees and small employers with fewer than six employees will have a minimum wage of $11.10 per hour in 2021, up from $10.30 in 2020.
Agricultural workers have a minimum wage of $10.30, which is the same as 2020.
As of November 1, 2020, direct care staff members in long-term health care facilities began to receive a minimum wage that is $3.00 higher than New Jersey’s current minimum wage which brings them to a minimum wage of $15.00 in 2021.
By 2024, the minimum wage rate in New Jersey will reach $15 per hour with a one dollar increase each year.