New Jersey FLSA Laws: Your Guide to Compliance
Shield Your Business with New Jersey-Specific FLSA Auditing
Minimum Wage in New Jersey
- Federal FLSA: $7.25/hour.
- New Jersey Law: $15.13/hour (non-tipped) as of January 1, 2024, with annual CPI adjustments—$15.58/hour effective January 1, 2025 (New Jersey Statutes, § 34:11-56a4). Tipped employees: $5.26/hour with a $10.32 tip credit. Smaller firms (<6 employees) and seasonal: $14.13/hour in 2024, $14.55/hour in 2025.
- What You Need to Know: Higher state rate applies—violations can lead to double damages and fines up to $1,000 per employee.
Overtime Pay
- Federal FLSA: 1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week.
- New Jersey Specifics: Matches federal 40-hour rule. Overtime based on state minimum wage ($23.37/hour for most in 2025). No fluctuating workweek method allowed (New Jersey Statutes, § 34:11-56a).
- Risk: Misclassifications or unpaid overtime can trigger NJ DOL audits or lawsuits.
Child Labor
- New Jersey Rules: Minors under 14 restricted to limited roles; 14–15 capped at 3 hours/school day, 8 hours/non-school day; 16–17 barred from hazardous jobs. Work permits required under 18 (New Jersey Statutes, § 34:2-21).
- Federal FLSA: Aligns, but New Jersey’s permit rule is stricter—state law prevails.
Recordkeeping
- Federal FLSA: 3-year retention of payroll and hours records.
- New Jersey Addition: 3 years minimum, with detailed pay stubs required showing hours, wages, and deductions (New Jersey Statutes, § 34:11-56a20).
Enforcement & Penalties
- Federal: DOL penalties, back wages, up to $1.2M average for violations.
- New Jersey: Double damages for unpaid wages, fines up to $1,000 per violation (first offense), $2,000 for repeat, enforced by NJ DOL (New Jersey Statutes, § 34:11-56a25).
Why It Matters for Your Business
- CFOs and Managers: New Jersey’s tiered minimum wage, annual increases, and double-damage penalties ramp up compliance risks. A payroll error could cost thousands—or millions in a class-action suit.
- Avoid Costly Mistakes: Stay compliant with expert FLSA auditing tailored to New Jersey laws.
Schedule Your New Jersey FLSA Audit Today
