The minimum wage in Jersey City is $15.49/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $25.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Jersey City.
The minimum wage in Jersey City is the New Jersey statewide minimum of $15.49/hour. Jersey City does not set a separate employee minimum wage, so the New Jersey statewide minimum of $15.49/hour for most employers applies; New Jersey indexes the rate to inflation each January. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Jersey City. With average 1-bedroom rent near $2,700/month and a cost-of-living index of 138 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Jersey City, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.49 | $32,219 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $25.00 | $52,000 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $49.00 | $101,920 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $32,400 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Hudson County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Jersey City.
Jersey City sits on the Hudson River directly across from Lower Manhattan and has become a major financial back-office and residential hub, with Goldman Sachs and other banks, a fast-growing technology scene, and one of the most diverse populations in the country.
| Local Metric | Jersey City (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 290,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Hudson County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 138 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $25.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $49.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.49/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,700/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $3,200/month |
| Median home price | $600,000 |
| Median household income | $85,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6.625% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.6% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Jersey City is the New Jersey statewide minimum of $15.49/hour. Jersey City does not set a separate employee minimum wage, so the New Jersey statewide minimum of $15.49/hour for most employers applies; New Jersey indexes the rate to inflation each January. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $32,219 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Hudson County needs about $25.00/hour (roughly $52,000/year) to cover basic costs. That is $9.51/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $49.00/hour.
At $15.49/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $32,219 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $24,164/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Jersey City is about $2,700/month, or $32,400/year.
Jersey City does not set a separate employee minimum wage, so the New Jersey statewide minimum of $15.49/hour for most employers applies; New Jersey indexes the rate to inflation each January.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. New Jersey has set a state minimum wage of $15.49/hour for most employers, indexed to inflation and well above the federal floor, and that rate applies in Jersey City.