Minimum Wage Preemption: Jersey City vs Union City
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Jersey City, NJ and Union City, NJ?
Jersey City and Union City have similar restriction levels.
Jersey City, NJ
Hudson County
New Jersey sets the statewide minimum wage under N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4 at 15.49 dollars an hour for most workers in 2026, indexed annually to inflation, and preempts Jersey City from adopting any higher local minimum wage.
View full Jersey City rules →Union City, NJ
Hudson County
New Jersey sets a uniform statewide minimum wage under NJSA 34:11-56a, scheduled to reach $15 per hour, with limited authority for municipalities to enact higher local wage floors.
View full Union City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Jersey City | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 standard rate | 15.49 dollars per hour | - |
| Tip-credit cash wage | 5.62 dollars per hour | - |
| State statute | N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4 | - |
| Local preemption | Cities barred from higher rate | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Jersey City FAQ
Can Jersey City pass a higher minimum wage?
No. New Jersey statute preempts local minimum-wage ordinances. Only the state legislature can adjust the rate, although cities can set higher pay floors for their own municipal contractors.
Does the rate apply to small businesses?
Most small employers pay the standard rate. A separate, slightly lower minimum applies to employers with fewer than six workers and to seasonal employees, both also indexed annually.
Union City FAQ
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