NJ Minimum Wage Lawsuit Investigation: Do RAs Get Paid Proper Minimum Wage, Overtime?

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether class action lawsuits can be filed on behalf of resident advisors and resident assistants (RAs) employed on college or university campuses in New Jersey who may not be getting paid proper minimum and overtime wages.

Specifically, the attorneys are looking into potential violations of NJ wage and hour law, which, as of January 1, 2026, set the minimum wage at $15.92 per hour for most workers in the state.

The attorneys believe that while resident advisors and RAs often get paid via compensation packages that include certain stipends or credit for room and board, depending on the university, the employees may be getting illegally shorted on minimum and overtime wages for the hours they work.

As part of their investigation, the attorneys want to hear from resident advisors or RAs in New Jersey who suspect they may have been underpaid. Class action lawsuits filed on behalf of these employees could help them get back any unpaid wages they may be owed.

Has the NJ Minimum Wage Increased?

Yes, as of January 1, 2026, the New Jersey minimum wage is $15.92 per hour, up from last year’s hourly rate of $15.49. According to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), the new rate applies to most employees in the state, aside from tipped workers and certain staff at long-term care facilities, as well as people working for small, seasonal or agricultural employers. The minimum wages paid to these types of employees also increased earlier this year but at different rates.

New Jersey’s minimum wage has increased incrementally since new legislation went into effect in July 2019. The NJDOL says that the new rates as of 2026 may continue to rise annually based on any increase in the Consumer Price Index, an economic indicator that measures inflation.

According to the NJDOL, most workers in the state have to be paid the minimum wage. Only certain types of employees are exempt from minimum wage protection under the law, including certain kinds of salespeople and minors under 18 (unless they work in retail, food service or the hotel and motel industry, among other occupations).

The NJDOL explains that for tipped workers, total earnings—that is, their hourly wage plus tips—must equal at least the minimum wage per hour. If an employee’s total earnings do not meet the 2026 NJ minimum wage, their employer is required by law to pay the difference.

Attorneys are looking into whether New Jersey resident advisors and RAs are being paid the proper minimum wage—and if not, their employers may be violating state law.

How Much Should RAs Get Paid for Overtime?

Under federal labor law, a covered employee’s overtime rate is one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay for each hour worked in excess of 40 per workweek.

The U.S. Department of Labor explains that a worker’s regular rate is their average hourly rate per pay period, including all compensation they earned during that time, with certain exceptions.

Because an employee’s overtime rate is determined by their regular rate of pay, receiving an improper minimum wage could throw off overtime wage calculations and result in the worker getting underpaid.

How Could a NJ Minimum Wage Lawsuit Help?

If filed and successful, class action lawsuits could help resident advisors and RAs in New Jersey recover any unpaid wages they may be owed. Unpaid wages and overtime lawsuits may also potentially force colleges and universities to bring their pay practices in line with New Jersey minimum wage law.

College RAs: Think You’re Getting Underpaid?

After you get in touch, an attorney or legal representative may reach out with some questions and information about how you can help the investigation. It doesn’t cost anything to fill out the form or speak with someone, and you’re not obligated to take legal action if you decide not to.

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