by Christina M. Reger, Esq.

Effective yesterday, July 1, the statewide minimum wage in New Jersey increased from $8.85 to $10.00 per hour. Under the law Governor Murphy signed in February, after yesterday’s increase, the statewide minimum wage will continue to increase by $1 per hour every January 1st until it reaches $15 per hour on January 1, 2024.

The law currently applies to all employers with 5 or more employees. Employers with fewer than 5 employees are expected to increase minimum wage rates in January 2020 and will have a longer deadline to get to the $15.00 per hour.

In a statement, the Governor stated, “Our economy grows when everyone can participate in it – every hardworking New Jerseyan deserves a fair wage that allow them to put food on the table and gas in their car. Together, we are making New Jersey more affordable and giving over a million New Jerseyans a pathway to the middle class.”

The tipped wage rate will also rise 50 cents an hour from $2.13 to $2.63.

Christina M. Reger, Esq. is a shareholder at Bazelon Less & Feldman, PC. She is licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Christina works with businesses and corporations to prevent litigation from employees and applicants by ensuring that the employer has the proper policies and procedures in place, providing training and educating staff, and generally reviewing the operation to ensure compliance with the morass of employment laws. Christina offers a unique fee structure that provides predictability and accessibility to the legal services her clients need.