True Cost of Hiring Calculator
The fully loaded cost of a Construction hire in New Jersey combines New Jersey’s 1.9% SUTA rate with the Construction workers’ comp rate of $5.50/$100, typical Construction benefits, and overhead.
Open the CalculatorPre-configured with New Jersey tax rates and Construction benchmarks. Adjust salary, benefits, and overhead to model your specific hire.
Total Annual Cost
$84,551
Loaded multiplier: 1.30× base salary
Open the interactive calculator to adjust every input and export a PDF report.
Combined New Jersey state tax rates and Construction industry benchmarks for 2026.
Each figure combines New Jersey statutory rates with Construction industry estimates. Statutory rates are fixed by law; published benchmarks come from BLS and SHRM; representative estimates vary by employer and carrier; and benefit/overhead defaults are editable TrueHireCost modeling assumptions.
| Metric | Value | Type | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey SUTA rate | 1.9% | Representative estimate | New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development | Aug 2026 |
| New Jersey SUTA wage base | $42,700 | Official statutory figure | New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development | Aug 2026 |
| Construction workers’ comp | 5.5 / $100 payroll | Representative estimate | DOL Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs | Aug 2026 |
| Construction median salary | $65,000 | Published benchmark | BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics | Aug 2026 |
| Construction monthly benefits | $500 | Representative estimate | BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC) | Aug 2026 |
| 401(k) employer match | 3% | TrueHireCost modeling assumption | TrueHireCost methodology | Aug 2026 |
| Annual overhead | $2,200 | TrueHireCost modeling assumption | TrueHireCost methodology | Aug 2026 |
| New Jersey minimum wage | $15.49/hr | Official statutory figure | New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development | Aug 2026 |
| Employer FICA | 7.65% | Official statutory figure | IRS Publication 15 (Circular E) | Aug 2026 |
How to read this table
A Construction hire in New Jersey at the median $65,000 salary costs approximately $84,551 fully loaded — a 1.30× multiplier combining New Jersey’s 1.9% SUTA with Construction workers’ comp at $5.50/$100.
Pharma, finance, logistics, and tech drive New Jersey’s economy near NYC and Philly.
Construction hiring is steady but constrained by skilled-labor shortages, with infrastructure spending supporting demand through 2026. In New Jersey, project-based, seasonal hiring of tradespeople, laborers, and supervisors tied to construction cycles and weather.
When hiring Construction staff in New Jersey, budget for the 1.9% SUTA rate on the first $42,700 of wages, $5.50/$100 workers’ comp, and state income tax withholding up to 10.75%. New Jersey SDI withholds $0.50/$100 of wages (employee-funded; employer remits).
New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development
New Jersey workforce agency
Construction wages & turnover
Federal employer tax guide
Associated General Contractors
Construction industry resource
Construction industry resource
Editorial Standards
Maintained by the TrueHireCost editorial team
TrueHireCost is an independent research and tooling project. Our content is written and maintained by the TrueHireCost editorial team — not by a licensed CPA, attorney, or HR certificant, and no named professional endorses or "verifies" these pages. Rates, wage bases, and benchmarks are collected from official public sources (IRS, U.S. Department of Labor, state workforce agencies, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics) and labeled with their source and last-reviewed date. State SUTA, workers’ comp, and minimum-wage figures are representative new-employer estimates and should be confirmed with the agency for your specific situation.
Found an outdated rate or a calculation that looks wrong? Email editorial@truehirecost.com and we’ll review and correct it. TrueHireCost is an informational tool, not professional tax, legal, or HR advice — consult a qualified professional before making hiring or payroll decisions.
Last updated 2026-08-24
Every rate and formula is checked against the issuing agency before publication. Last updated 2026-08-24.
IRS
FICA, FUTA tax rate & wage base
U.S. DOL
FUTA credit, federal wage & hour
State Workforce Agencies
SUTA rates, wage bases, new-employer rates
BLS
Industry salary benchmarks & turnover
The fully loaded cost combines New Jersey’s 1.9% SUTA rate with the Construction workers’ comp rate of $5.50/$100, a typical $65,000 median salary, $500/month benefits, and overhead. Use the calculator above for a precise New Jersey Construction estimate.
Yes — Workers’ comp required for all employers. The Construction class code sets the rate at $5.50 per $100 of payroll.
Construction roles typically pay $38,000–$110,000. New Jersey Construction salaries may vary by metro and experience.
For Estimation Purposes Only
TrueHireCost provides hiring cost estimates for informational purposes only and is not professional tax, legal, or HR advice. Actual employer costs vary by experience rating, industry classification, carrier, and jurisdiction. Consult a qualified CPA, tax advisor, or HR professional before making hiring or payroll decisions.