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The Global Insight

How much money can you make and still collect unemployment in NJ?

Author

James Olson

Updated on April 05, 2026

For any wages earned from any employer: If you earn 20 percent or less of your weekly benefit rate from an employer, you can still receive your full weekly benefit rate (WBR) for that week. However, we will not pay you more than your weekly benefit rate. Here’s an example, using a weekly benefit rate (WBR) of $500.

What is the salary threshold for exempt status in New Jersey?

Effective December 31, 2020, in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties, the minimum salary threshold for an employee to qualify as exempt under such exemptions increased to $1,050.00 per week ($54,600.00 per year).

What is the maximum unemployment amount in New Jersey?

$713
If you are eligible to receive unemployment, your weekly benefit rate (WBR) will be 60% of your average weekly earnings during the base period, up to a maximum of $713. This number is then multiplied by the number of weeks that you worked during the base period, up to a maximum of 26 weeks.

What is the lowest salary in NJ?

$11 per hour
As of January 1, 2020, New Jersey’s minimum wage is $11 per hour for most employees, which is $3.75 more than the current federal minimum wage. However, there are exceptions: High school or college students may be paid $9.35 per hour, or 85 percent of the minimum wage, for part-time work (up to 20 hours per week).

How long can you receive unemployment in NJ?

26 weeks
NEW: How many weeks of unemployment benefits can I receive? Those who meet the requirements for traditional unemployment insurance may receive benefits for up to 26 weeks during a one-year period.

Why does my NJ unemployment claim say $0?

If your claim status is “Filed,” with a zero ($0) amount in the Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR), we are still reviewing your claim. Some people with a $0 balance, such as those who are self-employed, per federal law, will receive benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

What is the minimum salary for exempt employees in New Jersey 2021?

New 2021 Minimum Salary Requirement for Exempt Employees The minimum federal salary requirement for exempt employees in 2021 is currently unchanged at $684 per week or $35,568 annually.

How many hours can you work in NJ?

Under New Jersey law, no one under 18 years of age can work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week.

What is the minimum unemployment in NJ?

To be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits in 2020, you must have earned at least $200 per week during 20 or more weeks in covered employment during the base year period, or you must have earned at least $10,000 in total covered employment during the base year period.

Are 15 minute breaks required by law in NJ?

If an employer tries to claim that as some kind of ‘lunch break’, they are wrong to do so. However, in the NJ labor laws, 15 minute breaks are required to be paid. Any break from 5-20 minutes that is designated as a ‘break’ counts as part of the workday, and must be paid.

Are there any wage laws in New Jersey?

New Jersey does not have any laws requiring employers to provide employees, whether at hire or at any other time, of notice of wage rates, dates of pay, employment policies, fringe benefits, or other terms and conditions of employment.

What’s the maximum rate for temporary disability in New Jersey?

Please note that the rate of temporary disability is subject to the maximum and minimum wage rate for that particular statutory year. For example, for the year 2016, a petitioner may not receive temporary disability benefits in an amount that exceeds the maximum rate of $871.00.

What’s the average salary in New Jersey per year?

Salaries in New Jersey range from 27,700 USD per year (minimum salary) to 488,000 USD per year (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). The median salary is 114,000 USD per year, which means that half (50%) of the population are earning less than 114,000 USD while the other half are earning more than 114,000 USD.

How are weekly benefits calculated in New Jersey?

For 2021, the maximum weekly benefit rate is $731. We will calculate your weekly benefit rate at 60% of the average weekly wage you earned during the base year, up to that maximum. We determine the average weekly wage based on wage information your employer (s) report.