SingleMothers.us
Flexible jobs for single mothers in New Jersey
New Jersey pairs one of the oldest state paid family leave programs with earned sick leave for every worker and pay ranges in job ads.
Pay in New Jersey
New Jersey’s minimum wage is $15.92 an hour for most employers in 2026, and $15.23 for seasonal employers and employers with fewer than 6 employees. From January 1, 2027 the rates rise to $16.48 and $16.25, according to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Since June 1, 2025, employers with 10 or more employees must list the wage, salary or pay range in job postings, plus a summary of benefits and other compensation, under the state’s pay and benefits transparency law. Jersey City has its own rule for employers with 5 or more employees.
Leave for parents
Family Leave Insurance
New Jersey’s Family Leave Insurance has paid benefits since July 1, 2009. In 2026 it pays 85 percent of your average weekly wage, up to $1,119 a week, for up to 12 weeks.
Earned sick leave
Under the Earned Sick Leave Law, in effect since October 29, 2018 for employers of all sizes, you earn 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year. You can use it to care for your child, including for school meetings.
Help with child care
The Child Care Assistance Program, run by the Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development, fully reopened to all eligible families on April 9, 2026. County Child Care Resource and Referral agencies handle cases locally.
New Jersey funds free full-day preschool for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds in school districts that receive state preschool aid. It is not yet in every district. Programs run at least 6 hours a day for 180 days, so check whether your district offers it.
Tax credits
The New Jersey earned income credit is 40 percent of the federal credit for 2025 and is paid as cash back. The refundable New Jersey Child Tax Credit can be up to $1,000 for each child aged 5 or younger, for taxable income up to $80,000 in tax year 2025.
Getting into work
New Jersey’s career centers, run by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, offer the most help for job seekers. Insurance producers are licensed by the Department of Banking and Insurance, and pharmacy technicians register with the Board of Pharmacy.
Questions about working in New Jersey
What is the minimum wage in New Jersey in 2026?
$15.92 an hour for most employers, and $15.23 for seasonal employers and those with fewer than 6 employees. From January 1, 2027 the rates are $16.48 and $16.25.
Can I use earned sick leave for my child’s school in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey’s Earned Sick Leave Law covers caring for a child, including school meetings. You earn 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year.
Is child care assistance open in New Jersey?
Yes. The state fully reopened the Child Care Assistance Program to all eligible families on April 9, 2026, after closing enrollment in 2025.
Send us the hours you can keep
Send us your hours and your New Jersey ZIP code. We look for flexible roles near you, or remote roles open to New Jersey residents.