New Jersey 2024 Minimum Wage Increase Doesn’t Apply to Everyone
As we begin the new year, there are many changes that we hope to make to better ourselves and our lives. Maybe you’re hoping to drop some pounds, increase your income, or find love. All of these ideas are great to improve one’s self, and increase happiness. Hopefully, the new laws that go into effect this year will help you reach some of these goals.
It’s 2024, and with a new year come new laws that go into effect across the country specifically in New Jersey. I decided I would take a look at one of the new laws to determine if it would make a difference in the lives of my family, friends, or neighbors.
Minimum Wage Increase Breakdown
According to NJ.gov and the Department of Labor & Workforce Development, the minimum wage in New Jersey has increased to $15.13 an hour as of January 1st. However, this does not apply to everyone.
For example, there are almost 2 million hourly workers in New Jersey, and this will only benefit around 350 thousand of them, according to the website.
Also, if you’re a seasonal worker or work at a company with six or fewer employees, you won’t reach $15 an hour until 2026.
What about farm workers? If you’re up when the rooster crows, you’ll still be more than two dollars below the $15 hourly amount.
Almost $10 Less for Tipped Workers
Tipped workers are still way below that amount, and it’s a little confusing. If you’re a waiter or waitress, hairdresser, or another professional where you rely on tips, your hourly wage in 2024 will be $5.26. The website says, “If the minimum cash wage plus an employee’s tips do not equal at least the state minimum wage, the employer must pay the employee the difference.”
There’s another rule that seems to be very hard to enforce. The law states that if you’re a tipped worker and you spend more than 20% of your workday on tasks that you don’t get tipped for, then your employer has to pay you the $15.13 minimum wage during that time.
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