Jury Duty Pay in New Jersey

About Jury Duty in New Jersey

New Jersey has the lowest starting juror pay in the nation at $5 per day for the first 3 days — then $40 per day from day 4 onward. For one of the highest cost-of-living states, the $5 starting rate has drawn sharp criticism from the state’s own judiciary.

How Jury Pay Works

Under N.J.S.A. 22A:1-1.1, jurors receive $5/day for days 1 through 3, then $40/day starting day 4. The base rate was enacted in 1993 and the $40 supplementary tier was added in 2001 — neither has been increased since. Mileage reimbursement typically follows the federal GSA rate.

Reform Efforts

A 2022 Judicial Conference on Jury Selection recommended the Legislature explore increasing juror compensation to address juror representativeness. Multiple bills (A471, S506, A823 in the 2024 session) have been introduced to raise the rate, but none have been enacted. The $5 starting rate remains the lowest first-day pay in the country.

Employer Obligations

New Jersey employers are not required to pay wages during jury service but cannot penalize employees who serve. Many large employers in the pharmaceutical, financial, and technology sectors continue full salary voluntarily, creating a familiar two-tier dynamic where corporate employees serve without financial worry while hourly workers face real hardship — similar to California’s situation.

The Cost-of-Living Paradox

New Jersey has some of the highest costs of living in the country — property taxes, housing, transportation — yet starts jurors at $5/day. A juror driving to the Bergen County courthouse might spend more on tolls and parking than they earn in their first three days combined. NJ Transit commuters face a similar calculus.

How New Jersey Compares

New Jersey’s $5/$40 structure means a 3-day trial pays just $15 total — the lowest short-trial compensation in the nation. A two-week trial (10 days) pays $295 ($5 × 3 + $40 × 7), which is higher than Pennsylvania’s $9/$25 structure for longer trials but dramatically lower than New York’s $72/day flat rate right across the Hudson River. The contrast between Manhattan and Jersey City, separated by a few miles of river, can mean a $67/day difference in jury pay. Federal jurors in Newark, Trenton, and Camden receive $50/day from day one.

Statute: N.J.S.A. 22A:1-1.1 — Official source