New Jersey Overtime Laws
New Jersey has its own overtime laws in addition to federal FLSA requirements.
Weekly OT Threshold
40 hrs
Daily OT Threshold
None
Double Time
No
Minimum Wage
$15.49
Overtime Rules
| Weekly Overtime | Hours over 40 in a workweek paid at 1.5x |
| Daily Overtime | Not required by state law |
| Double Time | Not required by state law |
| 7th Consecutive Day | No special rule |
Exemptions
The following categories of employees may be exempt from overtime requirements:
Executive, administrative, and professional employees
Important Notes
New Jersey follows federal weekly overtime rules.
State Labor Department
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Phone: (609) 292-2323
https://www.nj.gov/labor
New Jersey Economy and Workforce
New Jersey has a $679 billion GDP (2024), making it one of the largest state economies with significant strength in pharmaceuticals, financial services, and manufacturing. The state has the highest concentration of scientists and engineers in the country and hosts major pharmaceutical company headquarters.
Industries with Common Overtime
These New Jersey industries frequently involve overtime work situations:
Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences
New Jersey's pharmaceutical industry employs scientists, lab technicians, and production workers who frequently work overtime during drug development, clinical trials, and manufacturing cycles.
Healthcare
Nurses, medical technicians, and healthcare support staff throughout New Jersey's hospitals and healthcare systems commonly work overtime to meet patient care demands.
Transportation and Warehousing
With its strategic location between New York and Philadelphia, warehouse workers, truck drivers, and logistics personnel frequently work extended hours during peak shipping seasons.
Financial Services
Over 230,000 financial services workers in banking, insurance, and investment may work overtime during fiscal year-end, tax season, and market volatility periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Jersey requires overtime pay at 1.5 times your regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. With the 2025 minimum wage at $15.49 per hour, the minimum overtime rate is $23.24 per hour.
As of January 1, 2025, salaried employees earning less than $1,128 per week ($58,656 annually) are entitled to overtime pay regardless of job title. Employers must track hours for these workers and pay overtime for hours exceeding 40 per week.
New Jersey has a generous 6-year statute of limitations for unpaid overtime and wage claims, one of the longest in the nation. This gives workers significantly more time to recover unpaid wages compared to the federal 2-3 year limit.
How to File a Wage Claim in New Jersey
If you believe you are owed overtime pay, follow these steps:
Document all hours worked and gather pay stubs, time records, and any communications about wages
File a wage claim online or by mail with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development's Wage and Hour Compliance Division
Be aware that filing with the DOL requires waiving any amount over $50,000. For larger claims, file in Superior Court
Under the NJ Wage Theft Act, you may recover up to 3 times unpaid wages, plus attorney fees and costs
Important New Jersey Consideration
New Jersey's Wage Theft Act (2019) provides some of the strongest worker protections in the nation. Employees can recover up to 200% of unpaid wages as liquidated damages (triple damages total), plus attorney fees. The law also presumes retaliation if an employer takes adverse action against a worker within 90 days of a protected activity, shifting the burden of proof to the employer.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Overtime laws can change and may have exceptions not listed here. For specific situations, consult with your employer's HR department, the state labor department, or an employment attorney.