Happy minimum wage day, New Jersey!
Today, New Jersey’s minimum wage increases to $10.00 an hour. This is the first step on the way to a $15.00 minimum wage and will benefit over half a million workers by increasing their take home pay. Approximately 242,000 workers will get a direct boost in their pay, while an additional 275,000 workers will indirectly benefit as pay scales are adjusted to reflect the new minimum.
The importance of this cannot be overstated as low-paid workers will have greater ability to make ends meet, provide for their families, and participate more fully in their local economies. Businesses will benefit from gaining more customers and New Jersey’s economy will be stronger as a result of this change.
However, farm workers and workers at small businesses won’t be getting an increase until January, and tipped workers are receiving increases that are far too small. There’s still much work to be done to ensure that all workers in New Jersey, no matter what they do, are paid a wage that respects the dignity of their labor and enables them to not just make ends meet, but thrive.
To understand the schedule of the minimum wage increase, check out this blog from earlier in the year where we break down all the ins and outs.
