Data Scientists Salary
The median pay for a data scientists in New Jersey is $135,280/year ($65.04/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $81K at the entry level to $204K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.34), that's roughly $136,179 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,067/month, or 25.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New Jersey. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $135K get you in New Jersey?
About data scientists
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What this looks like in New Jersey
New Jersey sits well above the national pay line for data scientists, local pay runs about 13% higher than the U.S. median of $120K. Rent runs $2,067/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 99.34) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Jersey
Entry-level data scientists (10th percentile) start around $81K. Mid-career wages sit at $135K. Top earners bring in $204K or more, a $123K spread from bottom to top.
Data Scientists salary by metro in New Jersey
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton | $135K | +0% | 430 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $98K | -28% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track data scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Jersey numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a data scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Jersey?
Yes — at the median salary of $135K, rent takes 25.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,067/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for data scientists in New Jersey?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new data scientists typically earn — is $81K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,843/month. At HUD’s $2,067/month FMR, rent would take 43% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is data scientist a high-paying job in New Jersey?
Local pay is 13% above the national median — $135K here vs. $120K nationally.
How does New Jersey compare to the national average for data scientists?
New Jersey pays $135K median vs. the U.S. average of $120K — that’s +13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 99.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $136K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do data scientists make in New Jersey?
The median is $135,280 a year, that works out to about $65 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,720, and experienced data scientists can clear $203,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $135K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,061/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,067/month, which eats 25.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a data scientists salary go in New Jersey?
New Jersey has a Regional Price Parity of 99.34 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median data scientists salary is worth about $136,179 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do data scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.