New Jersey ER Waits Rank Eighth Longest Nationally
A Hera study finds New Jersey's average emergency department wait runs 15% above the national average.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
Live Poll
Do you think emergency room waits in your area are getting longer?
New Jersey's average emergency department wait is 3 hours and 6 minutes, ranking eighth longest among states, according to a Hera study. The national average is 2 hours and 42 minutes, and 2% of New Jersey patients leave without being seen.
Why it matters
Longer emergency department waits affect how quickly residents receive care and can lead some patients to leave before being treated. The findings place New Jersey among the states with the slowest emergency care nationwide.
New Jersey's average emergency department wait of 3 hours and 6 minutes is 15% above the national average of 2 hours and 42 minutes. Washington D.C. has the longest average wait at 5 hours and 3 minutes, and Cape May County's 3 hours and 42 minutes is the longest county figure listed.
The players
Hera
Hera is the organization that conducted the study ranking emergency department wait times across states and counties.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is the federal agency whose data was used to calculate the wait times.
The details
The study, conducted by Hera using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data, calculated average wait times for New Jersey and its counties. South Jersey counties including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden and Cape May were among those listed with their individual averages.
Timeline
Article on the Hera study published November 6, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The study builds on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services emergency department timing data, which hospitals and states use to track patient flow. Ranking states and counties by average wait gives a clearer comparison than national totals alone.
Residents seeking emergency care in New Jersey should expect average waits of around three hours, longer than the national average. Patients who cannot wait may leave before being seen, which the study places at 2% of New Jersey visits.
The takeaway
Emergency department waits in New Jersey run longer than in most states, so patients may plan for extended visits. Comparing county-level averages can help residents understand local conditions.
Further reading
Explore more on Nursing Jobs for context on staffing pressures in New Jersey emergency care.
Live Poll
Do you think emergency room waits in your area are getting longer?
