New Jersey Minimum Wage
N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4
Regulatory Snapshot: New Jersey Minimum Wage
New Jersey Minimum Wage (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4) is an enacted law in New Jersey under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2019-02-04 and becomes effective on 2024-01-01. New Jersey currently reports 4 tracked regulations with 4 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 48/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places New Jersey within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4 itself.
Applicability under New Jersey Minimum Wage: All NJ employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Dept of Labor and Workforce Development enforcement. Back wages + 200% penalty. Notable exemptions: Small businesses, seasonal, farm (different schedules). Agricultural workers at $12.81/hr..
Summary
New Jersey minimum wage $15.49/hr (2025). CPI-indexed annually. Small employers and farm workers on different schedules.
Key Requirements
$15.49/hr large employers (2025). Small/seasonal: $13.73/hr. Tipped: $5.62/hr. Annual CPI adjustment.
Penalties
Dept of Labor and Workforce Development enforcement. Back wages + 200% penalty.
Applicability
All NJ employers.
Exemptions
Small businesses, seasonal, farm (different schedules). Agricultural workers at $12.81/hr.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. New Jersey is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was New Jersey Minimum Wage enacted?
New Jersey Minimum Wage was enacted on 2019-02-04 and became effective on 2024-01-01. It was introduced as N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4.
What are the penalties for violating New Jersey Minimum Wage?
Dept of Labor and Workforce Development enforcement. Back wages + 200% penalty. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does New Jersey Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
All NJ employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does New Jersey compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
New Jersey has a regulatory strictness score of 48/100, based on 4 enacted regulations out of 4 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of New Jersey Minimum Wage?
The official text of New Jersey Minimum Wage (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4) is available from the New Jersey legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |