New Jersey Voters Approve Constitutional Amendment to Increase Minimum Wage

New Jersey voters approved, 61 to 39 percent, an amendment to the state constitution that increases the state’s minimum wage to $8.25 per hour for non-exempt employees, a $1 per hour increase from the current $7.25 per hour minimum wage. Under the amendment, each year on September 30 the minimum wage will increase if the consumer price index (CPI) increases, with the revised minimum wage taking effect the following January 1. If, however, the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour, exceeds the state rate, the state rate will increase to match the federal rate, and further revisions based on the CPI will be based on the increased, matched rate.