New Jersey Construction Laborer Overtime & Pay Rules
Side-by-side statutory audit of Construction Laborer hourly wages, 1.5x overtime thresholds, shift benchmarks ($22.50/hr median), and meal break penalty pay under N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a.
Managing payroll or shift workers in NEW-JERSEY?
Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with Gusto Payroll Automation.
New Jersey Construction Laborer Paycheck Calculator
Advanced Tax & Paycheck Deductions (Optional) ▼
Managing payroll or shift workers in NEW-JERSEY?
Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with Gusto Payroll Automation.
In New Jersey, a Construction Laborer is entitled to a minimum statutory base wage of $15.13/hr (State industry median: $22.50/hr). Overtime is calculated at 1.5x regular rate after 40 hours per week under N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a.
Visual Pay Composition Breakdown
FLSA Exemption & Overtime Rules for Construction Laborers in New Jersey
Non-Exempt (Eligible for 1.5x Overtime & Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wages)
Manual labor positions cannot be classified as exempt executive or administrative employees under 29 CFR § 541.3.
New Jersey Statutory Wage & Overtime Authority
Statutory Legal Citation: N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a
New Jersey minimum wage ($15.13/hr) reached statutory milestone under 2019 legislation. Mandatory Earned Sick Leave Act applies.
Employee Statutory Rights (NJ)
- ✓ Statutory minimum wage of $15.13/hr ($5.26 tipped direct rate).
- ✓ Earned Sick Leave Act: 1 hour accrued paid sick leave per 30 hours worked (up to 40h/yr).
- ✓ 1.5x regular pay for hours over 40 per workweek.
Employer Mandatory Obligations (NJ)
- § Pay tipped workers at least $5.26/hr direct cash wage.
- § Provide written Earned Sick Leave notice upon hire.
- § Comply with strict state paystub disclosure requirements.
New Jersey Statutory Wage & Overtime FAQs
What is the minimum wage in New Jersey for 2026? ↓
Under statutory citation N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a, the 2026 minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.13 per hour. Employers paying below this baseline face Department of Labor back-pay audits and statutory interest penalties.
Does New Jersey mandate daily overtime pay? ↓
New Jersey follows the standard federal FLSA rule (Title 29 U.S.C. § 207). Overtime is calculated weekly for hours exceeding 40 hours in a 7-day workweek with no daily cap.
Can employers in New Jersey take a tip credit against wage rates? ↓
New Jersey permits employers to claim a maximum tip credit of $9.87/hr against tipped staff, requiring a minimum direct cash wage of $5.26/hr.
Common New Jersey Payroll Compliance Traps & Audit Penalties
Failing to make up tip credit shortfalls below $15.13/hr.
Restricting earned sick leave usage for legitimate employee health needs.
Misclassifying delivery drivers as independent contractors.
Managing payroll or shift workers in New Jersey?
Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with Gusto Payroll Automation.
Audit New Jersey Construction Laborer Overtime & Pay
Verify 2026 statutory minimum wage floors, 1.5x overtime thresholds, and meal break penalties for Construction Laborers in New Jersey.