Average and median wage in New Jersey
Half of the 4,285,720 workers in New Jersey earn less than $58,570 a year, the median wage, while the average pay is $78,040, or $37.52 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% make $34,450 or less and the top 10% $142,750 or more. The average is 12% more than the U.S. average ($69,770) and the median 15% more than the U.S. median ($50,980).
- $34K10th
- $39K25th
- $59KMedian
- $97K75th
- $143K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | New Jersey per year | Per hour* | U.S. per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $78,040 | $37.52 | $69,770 |
| Median | $58,570 | $28.16 | $50,980 |
| 10th percentile | $34,450 | $16.56 | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile | $39,400 | $18.94 | $37,590 |
| 75th percentile | $96,720 | $46.50 | $80,520 |
| 90th percentile | $142,750 | $68.63 | $128,560 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Statewide figures include every employer in the state, metro and rural. Median vs. average salary · reading percentiles.
Average salary by city in New Jersey
- Trenton$82,560
- Atlantic City$63,400
- Vineland$61,110
Map of New Jersey metro areas
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Salary, take-home pay and cost of living by city
| City | Average | Median | Take-home* | Cost of living | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton | $82,560 | $63,490 | $63,842 | 103 | $446,377 |
| Atlantic City | $63,400 | $47,520 | $51,166 | 99 | $384,211 |
| Vineland | $61,110 | $48,190 | $49,454 | 96 | $278,723 |
*Average salary after federal and state income tax and payroll taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Highest-paying jobs in New Jersey
- Family Medicine Physicians · Atlantic City$371,400
- Chief Executives · Atlantic City$332,580
- Psychiatrists · Atlantic City$302,340
- Psychiatrists · Trenton$282,960
- Physicians, All Other · Atlantic City$281,830
- Nurse Anesthetists · Atlantic City$271,550
- Chief Executives · Trenton$271,280
- Physicians, All Other · Trenton$253,080
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists · Trenton$241,210
- Family Medicine Physicians · Trenton$238,720
Most common jobs in New Jersey
| Job | Jobs statewide | Average | Median | Highest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 117,080 | $39,690 | $37,090 | $40,200 |
| Cashiers | 107,680 | $36,370 | $34,590 | $35,640 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 97,230 | $42,540 | $39,540 | $41,060 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 93,730 | $35,110 | $34,150 | $35,120 |
| Registered Nurses | 92,680 | $110,100 | $106,500 | $103,700 |
| Retail Salespersons | 72,530 | $41,870 | $36,520 | $41,190 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | 71,260 | $41,750 | $43,840 | $38,470 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 67,660 | $40,710 | $37,630 | $40,350 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 65,960 | $52,910 | $50,260 | $55,390 |
| Office Clerks, General | 65,130 | $51,060 | $48,570 | $51,580 |
Jobs, average and median: BLS statewide estimates. Highest city average: best-paid metro area we cover in the state.
Average salary by job family in New Jersey
New Jersey income tax and take-home pay
Take-home figures on these pages apply New Jersey's 2025 income tax rules for a single filer with the standard deduction, plus federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security and Medicare. New Jersey's employee unemployment, disability and family-leave contributions are not included.
New Jersey at a glance
Average salary in other states
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- Washington, D.C.
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Salary in New Jersey: questions
What is the average salary in New Jersey?
$78,040 a year across all jobs, according to BLS statewide estimates (OEWS, May 2025). That is 12% more than the U.S. average ($69,770).
What is the median salary in New Jersey?
$58,570 a year: half of New Jersey workers earn more and half earn less. The median is lower than the average because a minority of high earners lifts the average.
What is the average hourly wage in New Jersey?
$37.52 an hour on average, and $28.16 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
Which city in New Jersey pays the most?
Trenton, with an average of $82,560 a year among the metro areas we cover.
Is New Jersey expensive to live in?
BEA puts New Jersey prices 9% above the U.S. average (price parity 108.8). Within the state, Trenton 103, Atlantic City 99, Vineland 96 are the most expensive metros.
Sources and how to read this page
- Statewide figures: BLS OEWS state estimates, May 2025, all occupations and every employer in the state (metro and rural areas).
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. City figures: the metro areas we cover in New Jersey.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crimes reported by agencies statewide, latest 12 months available.
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