Overtime and Minimum Wage in New Jersey

Q. How much is the minimum wage in New Jersey?

A. Effective January 1, 2024, the New Jersey minimum wage for most employees is $15.13 per hour. You can find scheduled increases in the New Jersey’s Minimum Wage Chart.

Q. If I am a tipped employee, is my employer required to pay the minimum wage rate?

A. Your total earnings (hourly wage plus tips) must equal at least the minimum wage per hour. The hourly rate is up to your employer; however, effective January 1, 2023, the required rate is a minimum of $5.26 per hour. If the hourly rate plus tips does not equal at least the minimum wage per hour, the employer is required to make up the difference.

Q. When is overtime pay due?

A. Overtime is paid at the rate of time and one half after forty hours of actual work in a seven-day workweek, with the exception of certain salaried employees who meet the definition of an executive, administrative or professional.

Q. Does my employer have to pay me overtime or double time for working on a holiday, Saturday, or Sunday?

A. No. Overtime must only be paid at a rate of time and one-half times the employee’s regular rate of pay for each hour actually worked in excess of 40 hours in the workweek.

Q. If I work 40 hours and get 8 hours of holiday pay for a total of 48 hours of pay for the week, does my employer have to pay overtime for the hours over 40?

A. No, unless the employee physically worked over 40 hours in the workweek. Only hours actually worked count towards overtime.

Q. Can my employer require me to work overtime?

A. Yes. An employer can require an employee to work overtime provided the employer pays the appropriate wages and does not violate any existing employer-employee collective bargaining agreement.