New Jersey's minimum wage of $15.49 per hour for 2026 (NJ §34:11-56a4) applies citywide in Newark; state law preempts municipalities from setting independent local wage floors.
The New Jersey minimum wage statute (NJ §34:11-56a4) phased the standard wage to $15.00 in 2024 and continues annual CPI adjustments, reaching $15.49 in 2026 for most employers. Lower tiers apply to seasonal workers, employers with five or fewer staff, and tipped workers (whose cash wage plus tips must meet the standard). Newark cannot adopt a higher local minimum wage; the state preempts this field. The Department of Labor enforces, and unpaid wages can be recovered with liquidated damages of up to 200 percent under the Wage Theft Act (NJ §34:11-4.10).
Paying below the state minimum is wage theft, exposing the employer to back wages, liquidated damages of up to 200 percent, civil penalties, and possible disorderly-persons charges for repeat violators.
See how Newark's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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