December 27, 2023

TRENTON – New Jersey is set to become one of a handful of states with a minimum wage of at least $15/hour on January 1, 2024 when the rate increases to $15.13/hour, surpassing the goal set by Governor Murphy and the Legislature in 2019.

The increase affects about 350,000 of New Jersey’s roughly 1.9 million hourly workers. Many non-hourly employees will also see at least an indirect benefit from the statewide increase that applies to most workers.

“Raising the minimum wage has been a top priority of mine since day one,” said Governor Murphy . “There is no doubt that inflation has had an impact on every New Jerseyan. Now that we are close to surpassing the $15 per hour milestone, it’s important that we continue to ensure that everyone working in New Jersey has access to a livable wage.”

“Raising and aggressively enforcing the minimum wage signals to employers and workers alike that New Jersey values its workforce,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “While our Department’s Workforce efforts try to ensure workers receiving minimum wage are only doing so for a small part of their career, this is a proud moment for New Jersey as we become one of the few of states with a minimum wage above $15 an hour that will continue to be adjusted each year for inflation."

Under the law, some employers are allotted more time to reach the $15/hour minimum wage. For example, seasonal employers and businesses with six or fewer employees have until 2026 to pay their workers at least $15/hour. The minimum hourly wage for these employees will increase to $13.73/hour on January 1, up from $12.93/hour.

Agricultural workers are guided by a separate minimum wage timetable and were given until 2027 to reach the $15/hour minimum wage. Employees who work on a farm for an hourly or piece-rate wage will see their minimum hourly wage increase by 80 cents to $12.81/hour, up from $12.01/hour. Additionally, long-term care facility direct care staff will see their minimum wage rise by $1, to $18.13/hour.

Tipped workers’ cash wage will remain at $5.26/hour, with employers able to claim a $9.87 tip credit, an increase of $1. If the minimum cash wage plus an employee’s tips do not equal at least the state minimum wage, the employer must pay the employee the difference. Read more about the rights and protections of tipped workers here .

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. The state Constitution specifies that the minimum wage will continue to be adjusted annually based on the CPI.

NJDOL also announced changes in the maximum benefit rates and taxable wage base for its Unemployment Insurance (UI), Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), Family Leave Insurance (FLI), and Workers’ Compensation programs.

Starting on January 1, the maximum weekly benefit amount for UI beneficiaries increases to $854, from $830. The maximum weekly benefit for state plan TDI and FLI claims increases to $1,055, from $1,025, while the maximum weekly benefit for Workers’ Compensation rises to $1,131, from $1,099.

The maximum benefit rates and the taxable wage base are recalculated each year based on the statewide average weekly wage, under the laws governing these programs. The benefit rates and taxable wage base for 2024 reflect the $1,507.76 average weekly wage for 2022, which rose by 2.9 percent from $1,465.18 in 2021.

The level of wages subject to wage taxes in 2024 increases to $42,300 for employers covered under the Temporary Disability Insurance program and for workers and employers covered under the Unemployment Insurance program, the Workforce Development Partnership Program, and the Supplemental Workforce Fund for Basic Skills.

The taxable wage base for workers covered under the Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance programs increases to $161,400 for 2024.

Click here for more information on TDI/FLI or UI , or see the chart below showing the 2023 rates and the changes taking place on January 1.

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December 17, 2024

TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) today announced changes in the maximum benefit rates and taxable wage base for Unemployment Insurance, Temporary Disability Insurance and Family Leave Insurance, as well as a change in the maximum Workers’ Compensation benefit rates for temporary disability, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability and dependency. Each of these changes to maximum benefit rates and taxable wage base will take effect on January 1, 2025. In the new year, the maximum weekly benefit rate for Unemployment Insurance claims will increase to $875, from $854. The maximum weekly benefit rate for state plan Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance claims increases to $1,081, from $1,055; while the maximum weekly Workers’ Compensation benefit rate for temporary disability, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability and dependency rises to $1,159, from $1,131.

The maximum benefit rates and the taxable wage base are recalculated each year based on the statewide average weekly wage in the second preceding calendar year, in accordance with the laws governing these programs. The benefit rates and taxable wage base for 2025 reflect the $1,545.60 average weekly wage for 2023, which rose by 2.5 percent from $1,507.76 in 2022. The taxable wage base for workers covered under the Unemployment Compensation Law, which is the level of wages that are subject to contributions under that law, increases to $43,300 in 2025 from $42,300 in 2024.

The taxable wage base for workers covered under the Temporary Disability Insurance and Family Leave Insurance programs increases to $165,400 in 2025 from $161,400 in 2024.

To qualify for Unemployment Insurance, Temporary Disability Insurance, or Family Leave Insurance benefits in 2025, an applicant must earn at least $303 per week (up from $283 in 2024) for 20 base weeks, or alternatively, in those situations where the individual has not established 20 base weeks in the base year period, earn at least $15,200 up from $14,200 in 2024). Benefit eligibility criteria (the base week and alternative earnings amounts) for 2024 are computed based on the state minimum wage in effect as of October 1, 2024, when the minimum wage in New Jersey was $15.13/hour for most employees. Effective January 1, 2025, the minimum wage will rise by $0.36 to $15.49 . The contribution rate for state and local government entities that choose to make contributions rather than reimburse the trust fund for Unemployment Insurance benefits paid to their former employees, remains at 0.6 percent of taxable wages during calendar year 2025. Below is a chart showing the 2024 rates and the changes that will take effect January 1, 2025.

Maximum Benefits Rates and Eligibility Criteria 2024 2025 Maximum Unemployment Insurance (UI) Weekly Benefit Amount $854 $875 Maximum Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Family Leave Insurance (FLI) Weekly Benefit Amount $1,055 $1,081 Maximum Workers’ Compensation Weekly Benefit Amount $1,131 $1,159 Taxable Wage Base (UI – workers, employers; TDI – employers) $42,300 $43,300 Taxable Wage Base (TDI/FLI – workers only) $161,400 $165,400 Base Week Amount $283 $303 Alternative Earnings Amount $14,200 $15,200 UI Government Entities Contribution Rate 0.6% 0.6%

For more information, visit nj.gov/labor .

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December 29, 2025

TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) today announced changes in the maximum benefit rates and taxable wage base for Unemployment Insurance, Temporary Disability Insurance, and Family Leave Insurance, as well as a change in the maximum Workers’ Compensation benefit rates for temporary disability, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, and dependency. Each of these changes to maximum benefit rates and taxable wage base will take effect on January 1, 2026.

In the new year, the maximum weekly benefit rate for Unemployment Insurance claims will increase to $905, from $875. The maximum weekly benefit rate for state plan Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance claims increases to $1,119, from $1,081; while the maximum weekly Workers’ Compensation benefit rate for temporary disability, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability and dependency rises to $1,199, from $1,159.

The maximum benefit rates and the taxable wage base are recalculated each year based on the statewide average weekly wage in the second preceding calendar year, in accordance with the laws governing these programs. The benefit rates and taxable wage base for 2026 reflect the $1,598.66 average weekly wage for 2024, which rose by 3.4 percent from $1,545.60 in 2023.

The taxable wage base for workers covered under the Unemployment Compensation Law, which is the level of wages that are subject to contributions under that law, increases to $44,800 in 2026 from $43,300 in 2025.

The taxable wage base for workers covered under the Temporary Disability Insurance and Family Leave Insurance programs increases to $171,100 in 2026 from $165,400 in 2025.

To qualify for Unemployment Insurance, Temporary Disability Insurance, or Family Leave Insurance benefits in 2026, an applicant must earn at least $310 per week (up from $303 in 2025) for 20 base weeks, or alternatively, in those situations where the individual has not established 20 base weeks in the base year period, earn at least $15,500 (up from $15,200 in 2025). Benefit eligibility criteria (the base week and alternative earnings amounts) for 2026 are computed based on the state minimum wage in effect as of October 1, 2025, when the minimum wage in New Jersey was $15.49/hour for most employees. Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage will rise by $0.43 to $15.92 .

The contribution rate for state and local government entities that choose to make contributions rather than reimburse the trust fund for Unemployment Insurance benefits paid to their former employees decreases to 0.5 percent of taxable wages during calendar year 2026 from 0.6 percent in 2025.

Below is a chart showing the 2025 rates and the changes that will take effect January 1, 2026.

Maximum Benefits Rates and Eligibility Criteria 2025 2026 Maximum Unemployment Insurance (UI) Weekly Benefit Amount $875 $905 Maximum Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Family Leave Insurance (FLI) Weekly Benefit Amount $1,081 $1,119 Maximum Workers’ Compensation Weekly Benefit Amount $1,159 $1,199 Taxable Wage Base (UI – workers, employers; TDI – employers) $43,300 $44,800 Taxable Wage Base (TDI/FLI – workers only) $165,400 $171,100 Base Week Amount $303 $310 Alternative Earnings Amount $15,200 $15,500 UI Government Entities Contribution Rate 0.6% 0.5%

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