10-12-18 NJ Department of Labor Announces Minimum Wage Increase
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New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development Robert Asaro-Angelo |
TRENTON – New Jersey’s minimum wage will go up by 25 cents to $8.85 per hour on January 1, 2019.
“I welcome this increase and applaud the Department of Labor for its commitment to serving New Jersey’s working people,” said Governor Murphy. “However, the current minimum wage is grossly insufficient. We must focus our efforts on achieving a $15 per hour minimum wage for all New Jersey workers.”
The state Constitution charges the Department of Labor and Workforce Development with calculating a minimum wage adjustment each fall based on consumer price index (CPI) data collected over the prior year. The recommended change will become effective on the first day of the new year.
Last year, the wage increased by 16 cents, to $8.60 per hour, providing roughly 300,000 minimum wage workers with a raise.
“The Labor Department is required to recalculate the minimum wage each year based on a formula that factors in current wage information and economic data like buying power, to ensure that our lowest paid workers don’t fall further behind,” said Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “However, our goal as a department is to provide our workforce with the training, skills, and credentials they need to advance on a career path with growth potential and sustainable wages.”
Some 16 states and the District of Columbia have a minimum wage that is at least $8.85 per hour. New Jersey is one of eight states to adjust their rate automatically based on the cost of living. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
For more information on the pending minimum wage change, visit the Labor Department’s website at