2022 New Jersey Minimum Wage
The 2022 New Jersey Minimum Wage is $13.
Effective 2022-01-01Source: New Jersey’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $13/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1 (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development)Verified 2026-08-31
Compared with 2021
| Item | 2021 | 2022 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $12 | $13 | +$1 (+8.3%) |
Who it applies to
Most employees working in New Jersey. Different minimum wage schedules apply to seasonal employers, small employers, agricultural workers, and certain other categories of workers.
What changed this year, and why
New Jersey's minimum wage increased to $13 per hour for most employees, up from $12 per hour in 2021.
Common questions
- When did the $13 per hour minimum wage take effect?
- January 1, 2022.
- What was the minimum wage in 2021?
- $12 per hour.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers in New Jersey who need information about the minimum wage or who want to report a violation have several options. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development maintains a dedicated Wage and Hour Compliance section that addresses pay questions and handles complaints. Employees can file a Wage Complaint online through the Department's website if they believe their employer is not paying the correct rate. The Department also provides a Frequently Asked Questions page specifically about wage and hour laws, which explains the minimum wage, overtime rules, and other pay protections. Workers should gather documentation of their hours worked and wages paid before filing a complaint. The Department investigates complaints and can recover unpaid wages for workers. Employees in New Jersey should not hesitate to contact the Department or file a formal complaint if they believe their rights under the state's minimum wage law have been violated.
For more information on the state minimum wage, visit: https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/support/faqs/wageandhourworkerfaqs.shtml#minimumwage
New Jersey’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $13/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1 (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
In New Jersey, employers of tipped workers can count a portion of employees' tips toward the minimum wage obligation. The minimum cash wage for tipped workers is $5.13 per hour, and employers can claim a tip credit of $7.87 per hour. However, if an employee's cash wage plus their tips do not equal at least the full state minimum wage of $13 per hour, the employer must pay the employee the difference. This means the employer cannot use the tip credit to pay less than the minimum wage; the employee must receive at least $13 per hour in total compensation (cash wage plus tips). Tipped workers in New Jersey should track their tips carefully to ensure they are receiving the full minimum wage. If the combined total falls short in any workweek, the employer is obligated to make up the shortfall. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development maintains information about the rights and protections of tipped workers on its website.
Tipped workers will also see their minimum cash wage rise by $1 to $5.13/hour, with employers able to claim a $7.87 tip credit. 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.
New Jersey’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $13/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1 (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
How the rate is adjusted each year, and who announces it
New Jersey adjusts its minimum wage annually based on changes in the cost of living. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development calculates the new rate using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation. Once the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour, the state Constitution requires that it continue to increase each year based on any increase in the CPI. This cost-of-living adjustment ensures that the minimum wage keeps pace with inflation rather than remaining static. The Department announces the new rate before the end of each year, and it takes effect on January 1 of the following year. If the CPI decreases or remains flat, the minimum wage does not go down; it stays at the previous year's level. This automatic adjustment mechanism protects workers' purchasing power without requiring new legislation each year.
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) sets the minimum wage for the coming year using either the rate specified in the law or a calculation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is higher. Once the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour, the state Constitution specifies that it continue to increase annually based on any increase in the Consumer Price Index.
New Jersey’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $13/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1 (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
New Jersey’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $13/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1 (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
- Hourly
TRENTON - New Jersey’s statewide minimum wage will increase by $1 to $13 per hour for most employees, effective January 1, 2022.
Other years
Every New Jersey Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state