New Jersey vs Connecticut: paid leave cost compared, 2026
On 25 employees and $2,000,000 of annual payroll, Connecticut costs $10,000 in total premium and New Jersey costs $8,400 — a difference of $1,600 a year. The employer’s own exposure differs by more, because the two states split the premium differently.
New Jersey
$8,400
total premium on 25 staff and $2,000,000 payroll
- Employer pays
- $0
- Employees pay
- $8,400
- Rate applied
- 0.42%
Connecticut
$10,000
total premium on 25 staff and $2,000,000 payroll
- Employer pays
- $0
- Employees pay
- $10,000
- Rate applied
- 0.5%
Estimates only. Confirm current rates with your state agency before filing or budgeting.
Rules side by side
| New Jersey | Connecticut | |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance | Connecticut Paid Leave |
| Total contribution rate | 0.42% | 0.5% |
| Employer share | 0% | 0% |
| Employee share | 100% | 100% |
| Wage cap per employee | $171,100 | $184,500 |
| Small-employer relief | None | None |
| Private plan allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,119 | $1,016 |
What actually differs
- Who funds it. New Jersey is entirely employee-funded, so the employer's cost is administrative only. Connecticut is entirely employee-funded, so the employer's cost is administrative only. Comparing the headline rates alone will mislead you whenever the splits differ this much.
- Where the cost stops. New Jersey caps subject wages at $171,100 per employee and Connecticut at $184,500. For a team earning above both, the effective cost gap is narrower than the headline rates suggest.
- Small-employer treatment. New Jersey offers none — the full rate applies from your first employee. Connecticut offers none — the full rate applies from your first employee. If you are near either threshold, check which headcount basis applies before assuming you qualify.
Last verified August 18, 2026Source: NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Last verified August 18, 2026Source: Connecticut Paid Leave Authority
Employing in both?
Add New Jersey and Connecticut to the multi-state calculator and see the combined figure, with each state’s cap and small-employer rule applied separately.
Calculate both together