Top Paying Jobs in New Jersey
New Jersey has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 553,580 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Radiologists ($482,700), Surgeons, All Other ($437,890), Physicians, Pathologists ($355,970). The cost of living index is 99.34 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $2,067/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$171K
Avg. median salary
99.34
Cost of living index
$2,067
Median 2BR rent
9,266,949
Population
Highest paying careers in New Jersey
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Podiatrists | Healthcare | $160K | $77.07/hr |
| 42 | Veterinarians | Healthcare | $160K | $76.99/hr |
| 43 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare | $159K | $76.59/hr |
| 44 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $159K | $76.46/hr |
| 45 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | Engineering | $159K | $76.31/hr |
| 46 | Personal Financial Advisors | Business & Finance | $159K | $76.24/hr |
| 47 | Nurse Midwives | Healthcare | $154K | $74.03/hr |
| 48 | Industrial Production Managers | Management | $147K | $70.8/hr |
| 49 | Medical and Health Services Managers | Management | $146K | $70.02/hr |
| 50 | Administrative Services Managers | Management | $144K | $69.45/hr |
Affordability snapshot: New Jersey
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-0.7% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$2,067/mo
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Metro areas in New Jersey
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Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data