As we start the New Year, New Jersey state employers should make sure they are prepared to pay more to minimum wage workers. Based upon the voter-approved amendment to New Jersey’s Constitution, which provides an annual cost of living increase to the state’s minimum wage – effective January 1, 2015, the statewide hourly minimum wage for employees will rise from $8.25 per hour to $8.38 per hour. Employers must ensure that all work performed by employees on and after January 1, 2015, is compensated at this increased rate.