The New Jersey Labor Law Guide

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate that employers are legally obligated to pay employees. The federal minimum wage is a wage baseline, but different states, cities, and regions can adopt their own rates. 

As of 2024, the minimum wage is $15.13 per hour for most employees.

Starting January 1st, 2025, the minimum wage will be $15.49 for employers with 6 or more employees. It will be $14.53 for seasonal employees or employers with less than 6 employees.

→ Learn more about Deputy's labor law compliance software

Tipped minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate employers are legally obligated to pay employees who earn a significant portion of their income through tips. 

As of 2024, the tipped minimum wage is $5.26 per hour for most employees.

Starting January 1st, 2025, the tipped minimum wage will be $5.62 for most employees.

New Jersey generally follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which requires non-exempt employees to receive paid time and a half for every hour worked over 40 hours within a workweek.

Employers are not required to provide breaks to adult employees 18 years or older. However, if an employee gives a break longer than 20 minutes, it doesn’t need to be paid as long as the employee is free to leave the work premises and doesn’t have to do any work duties. Under federal law, breaks less than 20 minutes must be paid.

→ Find out how Deputy can help you simplify meal and rest break compliance

Vacation leave
New Jersey does not require employers to provide paid time off to their employees. The employer can choose to offer vacation leave at their discretion. 

Paid Sick Leave
New Jersey’s Earned Sick Leave Law applies to all employers regardless of business size. Employees can earn 1 hour of paid sick leave for 30 hours worked. And they can accrue up to 40 hours of paid sick leave annually. 

Holidays
New Jersey state law does not require employers to provide paid or unpaid holiday leave.

→ Learn more about Deputy's leave management software

All minors under 18 must obtain a work permit from their school or school district before starting any job. 

Specific laws for minors 14-15 years old:

• Minors in this age group can work in certain non-hazardous jobs, such as retail, food service, and certain office jobs. 

• Can work up to 3 hours a day and 18 hours a week when school is in session (May not work before 7 AM or after 7 PM).

• Can work up to 8 hours and 40 hours a week during school breaks (May not work before 7 AM or after 9 PM).

• May not work more than 6 consecutive days. 

Specific laws for minors 16-17 years old:

• Minors in this age group can work on a broader range of job options. However, they cannot work in hazardous occupations such as heavy machinery operation or specific manufacturing roles.

• Can work up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week when school is in session (May not work before 6 AM or after 11 PM).

• Can work up to 10 hours and 50 hours a week during school breaks (May not work before 6 AM or after 11 PM). 

• May not work more than 6 consecutive days. 

Rest breaks
New Jersey wage and hour laws generally require employers to provide nonexempt minor employees with at least 30 minutes of break time if they work more than six continuous hours.

Hiring
New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) prohibits hiring discrimination based on the following characteristics:

• Race

• Color

• National origin

• Sex

• Age

• Disability

• Sexual orientation

• Gender identity

Firing
New Jersey employers have the right to terminate employees at will for nearly any reason and no reason at all provided the reason is not unlawful.