Highest-paying jobs in New Jersey
Answer
Emergency Medicine Physicians have the highest median pay in New Jersey, $315,340 a year, followed by chief executives ($310,440) and family medicine physicians ($292,170). The median for all jobs in New Jersey is $58,570, 9th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 18th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $58,570
- 9th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $28.16
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 108.8
- Median worth $53,830 at US prices (18th)
- Jobs
- 4,285,720
- 685 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in New Jersey, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for New Jersey are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in New Jersey
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $315,340 | $151.60 | 500 | $335,550 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Chief Executives | $310,440 | $149.25 | 2,430 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Family Medicine Physicians | $292,170 | $140.47 | 3,050 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 4 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $228,870 | $110.03 | 740 | $292,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 5 | Commercial Pilots | $226,710 | — | 670 | $123,220 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 6 | Natural Sciences Managers | $207,030 | $99.54 | 10,040 | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $204,160 | $98.15 | 920 | $153,990 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 8 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $203,460 | $97.82 | 34,470 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Pediatricians, General | $201,560 | $96.91 | 1,280 | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 10 | Financial Managers | $199,110 | $95.73 | 32,510 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Psychiatrists | $194,070 | $93.30 | 1,290 | $281,870 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 12 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $180,640 | $86.85 | 4,540 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Marketing Managers | $180,040 | $86.56 | 13,510 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Public Relations Managers | $174,980 | $84.13 | 2,420 | $146,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Purchasing Managers | $174,520 | $83.90 | 3,430 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | General and Operations Managers | $173,690 | $83.51 | 53,000 | $105,770 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Sales Managers | $173,020 | $83.18 | 20,090 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Human Resources Managers | $172,440 | $82.90 | 6,400 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Dentists, General | $171,330 | $82.37 | 2,980 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 20 | Compensation and Benefits Managers | $168,370 | $80.95 | 950 | $149,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| 21 | Physician Assistants | $165,690 | $79.66 | 4,790 | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| 22 | Computer Network Architects | $162,350 | $78.05 | 5,660 | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Lawyers | $161,430 | $77.61 | 23,160 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 24 | Training and Development Managers | $160,540 | $77.18 | 1,540 | $133,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Veterinarians | $160,140 | $76.99 | 1,910 | $130,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Highest-paying jobs in New Jersey without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $142,990 | $68.75 | 7,650 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $137,920 | $66.31 | 800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $130,610 | $62.79 | 9,120 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $121,580 | $58.45 | 1,310 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $117,450 | $56.47 | 1,340 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $116,300 | $55.92 | 3,080 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $113,220 | $54.43 | 1,060 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Real Estate Brokers | $111,390 | $53.55 | 1,290 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $105,510 | $50.73 | 16,230 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $102,090 | $49.08 | 2,540 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Crane and Tower Operators | $100,640 | $48.39 | 1,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $99,030 | $47.61 | 10,370 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $96,510 | $46.40 | 1,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $95,690 | $46.01 | 9,650 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Correctional Officers and Jailers | $94,770 | $45.56 | 7,570 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in New Jersey
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 117,080 | $37,090 | $17.83 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Cashiers | 107,680 | $34,590 | $16.63 | No formal educational credential |
| 3 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 97,230 | $39,540 | $19.01 | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 93,730 | $34,150 | $16.42 | No formal educational credential |
| 5 | Registered Nurses | 92,680 | $106,500 | $51.20 | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Retail Salespersons | 72,530 | $36,520 | $17.56 | No formal educational credential |
| 7 | Packers and Packagers, Hand | 71,260 | $43,840 | $21.08 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 67,660 | $37,630 | $18.09 | No formal educational credential |
| 9 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 65,960 | $50,260 | $24.16 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Office Clerks, General | 65,130 | $48,570 | $23.35 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 64,070 | $37,250 | $17.91 | No formal educational credential |
| 12 | Customer Service Representatives | 59,690 | $47,740 | $22.95 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Waiters and Waitresses | 55,800 | $44,960 | $21.62 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 55,580 | $37,290 | — | Some college, no degree |
| 15 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 55,210 | $76,640 | $36.85 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 16 | General and Operations Managers | 53,000 | $173,690 | $83.51 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Software Developers | 51,570 | $135,940 | $65.36 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 47,980 | $63,570 | $30.56 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 19 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 44,980 | $79,200 | $38.08 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 20 | Accountants and Auditors | 42,250 | $100,830 | $48.48 | Bachelor's degree |
Jobs concentrated in New Jersey
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Packers and Packagers, Hand | 4.6× | 71,260 | $43,840 |
| 2 | Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | 3.9× | 11,050 | $35,350 |
| 3 | Word Processors and Typists | 3.7× | 3,560 | $49,520 |
| 4 | Fire Inspectors and Investigators | 3.4× | 1,290 | $60,100 |
| 5 | Natural Sciences Managers | 3.4× | 10,040 | $207,030 |
| 6 | Brokerage Clerks | 3.3× | 3,260 | $74,830 |
| 7 | Shampooers | 3.1× | 690 | $33,180 |
| 8 | School Bus Monitors | 2.8× | 6,100 | $36,100 |
| 9 | Crossing Guards and Flaggers | 2.8× | 7,270 | $41,600 |
| 10 | Biochemists and Biophysicists | 2.8× | 2,570 | $122,620 |
| 11 | Manicurists and Pedicurists | 2.7× | 11,520 | $36,370 |
| 12 | Chemists | 2.3× | 5,280 | $84,450 |
What 133 careers pay in New Jersey
Click a heading to sort
| Radiologist | $482,700 | 8 | $443,638 | $420,860 | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathologist | $355,970 | 6 | $327,163 | $312,400 | 230 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $341,430 | 21 | $313,800 | $358,550 | 420 |
| CRNA | $291,350 | 5 | $267,773 | $236,590 | — |
| Cardiologist | $286,540 | 21 | $263,352 | $496,010 | — |
| OB-GYN | $228,870 | 32 | $210,349 | $292,910 | 740 |
| Commercial Pilot | $226,710 | 2 | $208,364 | $123,220 | 670 |
| Neurologist | $222,120 | 21 | $204,145 | $248,560 | 140 |
| Judge | $204,160 | 9 | $187,638 | $153,990 | 920 |
| Pediatrician | $201,560 | 31 | $185,249 | $210,040 | 1,280 |
| Psychiatrist | $194,070 | 40 | $178,365 | $281,870 | 1,290 |
| Marketing Manager | $180,040 | 6 | $165,470 | $166,790 | 13,510 |
| Operations Manager | $173,690 | 1 | $159,634 | $105,770 | 53,000 |
| HR Manager | $172,440 | 4 | $158,485 | $149,280 | 6,400 |
| Dentist | $171,330 | 21 | $157,465 | $170,950 | 2,980 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,690 | 1 | $152,282 | $135,880 | 4,790 |
| Network Engineer | $162,350 | 2 | $149,212 | $134,050 | 5,660 |
| Lawyer | $161,430 | 9 | $148,366 | $159,670 | 23,160 |
| Veterinarian | $160,140 | 4 | $147,181 | $130,100 | 1,910 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $159,310 | 2 | $146,418 | $132,300 | 9,950 |
| Optometrist | $159,040 | 6 | $146,170 | $136,570 | 1,380 |
| Financial Advisor | $158,570 | 2 | $145,738 | $105,070 | 9,300 |
| Nurse Midwife | $153,970 | 5 | $141,510 | $134,040 | 120 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $145,650 | 4 | $133,863 | $123,860 | 16,900 |
| Computer Engineer | $142,880 | 12 | $131,317 | $161,740 | 580 |
| Actuary | $142,800 | 4 | $131,244 | $130,000 | 1,260 |
| Construction Manager | $138,230 | 5 | $127,044 | $114,990 | 6,910 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $137,920 | 6 | $126,759 | $109,910 | 800 |
| Pharmacist | $137,620 | 36 | $126,483 | $140,910 | 9,420 |
| School Principal | $137,440 | 6 | $126,318 | $105,870 | 11,450 |
| Software Engineer | $135,940 | 11 | $124,939 | $135,980 | 51,570 |
| Data Scientist | $135,280 | 4 | $124,333 | $120,230 | 6,430 |
| Chiropractor | $134,990 | 1 | $124,066 | $79,200 | 1,370 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $134,820 | 9 | $123,910 | $129,180 | 4,860 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $132,230 | 21 | $121,529 | $148,080 | 190 |
| Radiation Therapist | $129,460 | 4 | $118,984 | $105,310 | 600 |
| Psychologist | $127,090 | 2 | $116,805 | $100,580 | 2,700 |
| Chemical Engineer | $126,760 | 13 | $116,502 | $125,040 | 440 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,430 | 28 | $116,199 | $134,960 | 3,400 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,370 | 12 | $115,224 | $120,630 | 2,940 |
| Project Manager | $122,980 | 2 | $113,028 | $102,320 | 28,300 |
| Lineman | $121,580 | 7 | $111,741 | $95,320 | 1,310 |
| Meteorologist | $120,180 | 4 | $110,454 | $99,070 | 60 |
| Audiologist | $119,230 | 2 | $109,581 | $95,780 | 210 |
| Detective | $116,300 | 5 | $106,888 | $93,790 | 3,080 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $114,680 | 8 | $105,400 | $109,370 | 680 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $112,300 | 13 | $103,212 | $104,110 | 4,180 |
| Physical Therapist | $112,140 | 3 | $103,065 | $102,760 | 9,750 |
| Financial Analyst | $108,610 | 7 | $99,821 | $102,740 | 10,380 |
| Dental Hygienist | $107,040 | 9 | $98,378 | $98,100 | 7,230 |
| Registered Nurse | $106,500 | 7 | $97,882 | $97,550 | 92,680 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $106,500 | 7 | $97,882 | $97,550 | 92,680 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $106,500 | 7 | $97,882 | $97,550 | 92,680 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $106,500 | 7 | $97,882 | $97,550 | 92,680 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $106,500 | 7 | $97,882 | $97,550 | 92,680 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $106,500 | 7 | $97,882 | $97,550 | 92,680 |
| Business Analyst | $105,820 | 9 | $97,257 | $101,860 | 22,080 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $105,370 | 1 | $96,843 | $79,870 | 1,900 |
| Civil Engineer | $104,660 | 7 | $96,190 | $100,840 | 6,900 |
| MRI Technician | $103,930 | 14 | $95,520 | $95,480 | 1,250 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,410 | 14 | $95,042 | $100,330 | 6,290 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $103,150 | 13 | $94,803 | $96,590 | 3,370 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $101,560 | 10 | $93,341 | $97,870 | 6,840 |
| Accountant | $100,830 | 3 | $92,670 | $83,680 | 42,250 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $100,810 | 6 | $92,652 | $82,280 | 3,350 |
| Crane Operator | $100,640 | 5 | $92,496 | $68,080 | 1,000 |
| Real Estate Agent | $99,990 | 3 | $91,898 | $52,830 | — |
| Architect | $99,800 | 20 | $91,724 | $99,280 | 2,390 |
| Claims Adjuster | $95,690 | 2 | $87,946 | $78,000 | 9,650 |
| UX Designer | $95,310 | 18 | $87,597 | $104,000 | 2,170 |
| Web Developer | $95,180 | 14 | $87,478 | $92,650 | 2,250 |
| School Psychologist | $95,160 | 13 | $87,459 | $95,990 | 2,130 |
| Radiology Technician | $95,000 | 9 | $87,312 | $80,110 | 6,320 |
| Correctional Officer | $94,770 | 2 | $87,101 | $58,940 | 7,570 |
| Loan Officer | $92,920 | 7 | $85,400 | $76,690 | 6,200 |
| Police Officer | $92,610 | 8 | $85,116 | $76,210 | 21,780 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $92,150 | 2 | $84,693 | $66,940 | 4,040 |
| Underwater Welder (Commercial Diver data) | $86,920 | 6 | $79,886 | $72,990 | — |
| Paramedic | $86,630 | 2 | $79,620 | $60,600 | 540 |
| Nutritionist | $84,450 | 4 | $77,616 | $76,400 | 2,870 |
| Firefighter | $84,130 | 4 | $77,322 | $59,280 | 7,500 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $83,030 | 12 | $76,311 | $76,780 | 90 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $82,710 | 17 | $76,017 | $74,310 | 2,440 |
| High School Teacher | $82,200 | 7 | $75,548 | $72,040 | 38,140 |
| Insurance Agent | $81,640 | 2 | $75,033 | $62,280 | 11,370 |
| HR Specialist | $80,690 | 10 | $74,160 | $75,940 | 21,690 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $78,440 | 3 | $72,092 | $68,380 | 1,810 |
| Librarian | $78,380 | 10 | $72,037 | $68,270 | 4,100 |
| Plumber | $78,240 | 11 | $71,908 | $63,800 | 8,750 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,200 | 9 | $71,872 | $63,970 | 40,300 |
| School Counselor | $77,910 | 6 | $71,605 | $64,330 | 8,190 |
| Electrician | $77,250 | 11 | $70,999 | $63,190 | 13,520 |
| Surgical Technician | $77,200 | 11 | $70,953 | $64,650 | 2,780 |
| Athletic Trainer | $76,210 | 3 | $70,043 | $62,520 | 890 |
| LPN | $75,160 | 11 | $69,078 | $64,400 | 17,410 |
| HVAC Technician | $74,450 | 9 | $68,425 | $61,010 | 10,330 |
| TSA Officer | $74,400 | 2 | $68,379 | $66,770 | 1,200 |
| Chef | $74,280 | 6 | $68,269 | $62,470 | 9,100 |
| Interior Designer | $74,020 | 9 | $68,030 | $67,190 | 1,670 |
| Graphic Designer | $73,790 | 7 | $67,819 | $62,960 | 5,670 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $72,340 | 7 | $66,486 | $61,770 | 8,160 |
| Paralegal | $71,500 | 7 | $65,714 | $62,890 | 12,010 |
| Mortician | $69,110 | 4 | $63,517 | $55,010 | 580 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $68,450 | 15 | $62,911 | $62,930 | 7,000 |
| IT Support Specialist | $64,470 | 11 | $59,253 | $61,860 | 18,200 |
| Construction Worker | $64,060 | 2 | $58,876 | $47,120 | 23,590 |
| Carpenter | $64,010 | 10 | $58,830 | $60,580 | 14,230 |
| Truck Driver | $63,570 | 4 | $58,426 | $58,640 | 47,980 |
| Forensic Scientist | $63,220 | 30 | $58,104 | $72,060 | 60 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $62,820 | 13 | $57,736 | $59,350 | 14,210 |
| Bus Driver | $61,140 | 13 | $56,192 | $59,050 | 6,420 |
| Mail Carrier | $61,130 | 13 | $56,183 | $60,550 | 10,160 |
| Personal Trainer | $59,870 | 3 | $55,025 | $47,160 | 11,350 |
| Welder | $59,440 | 18 | $54,630 | $53,750 | 3,730 |
| Auto Mechanic | $56,610 | 16 | $52,029 | $50,620 | 17,640 |
| Barber | $54,850 | 6 | $50,411 | $38,210 | — |
| Private Investigator | $54,710 | 15 | $50,283 | $51,220 | 410 |
| Garbage Collector | $54,630 | 17 | $50,209 | $49,690 | 4,330 |
| EMT | $53,610 | 3 | $49,272 | $44,470 | 6,120 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $50,280 | 8 | $46,211 | $47,700 | 2,440 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $50,240 | 33 | $46,174 | $51,140 | 4,450 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,150 | 39 | $46,092 | $58,450 | 2,890 |
| Dental Assistant | $49,390 | 15 | $45,393 | $48,070 | 9,990 |
| Vet Tech | $49,050 | 15 | $45,081 | $47,380 | 2,910 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,650 | 8 | $44,713 | $45,230 | 5,230 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,210 | 17 | $43,390 | $45,690 | 20,330 |
| CNA | $46,830 | 10 | $43,040 | $42,260 | 32,400 |
| Esthetician | $45,870 | 19 | $42,158 | $45,330 | 2,660 |
| Bartender | $44,020 | 9 | $40,458 | $34,340 | 16,260 |
| Substitute Teacher | $43,780 | 13 | $40,237 | $41,670 | 17,100 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,610 | 46 | $36,405 | $45,750 | 14,020 |
| Nail Technician | $36,370 | 23 | $33,427 | $35,760 | 11,520 |
| Cosmetologist | $36,150 | 20 | $33,225 | $35,790 | 15,500 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.