More than 13 million Americans will benefit from a three-step increase to the federal minimum wage which will ultimately push the pay rate for the nation's lowest earners to $7.25 an hour. The first increase, to $5.85 an hour, went into effect on July 23, marking the first time in 10 years the federal minimum wage has been increased.  

Thanks to the hard work of union members in New Jersey, and the overwhelming support of New Jersey Legislators we helped to elect, our state's minimum wage currently stands at $7.15 an hour.

 

Pledging to continue to support America's working families, Senator Robert Menendez, an original co-sponsor of legislation to increase the federal minimum wage, declared that "a wage increase in only a down payment on our promise to all Americans-- it is a preview of what is to come."