Cost of living

Cost of living in New Jersey: what jobs pay vs rent

Typical rent in New Jersey is about $1,656/mo (population-weighted Census gross rent, utilities included). Here's how 299 common jobs' estimated take-home pay compares.

JobEst. take-homeRent share
Chief Executive$15,548/mo11%
Nurse Anesthetist$15,020/mo11%
Family Physician$13,937/mo12%
IT Manager$12,444/mo13%
Natural Sciences Manager$12,232/mo14%
Financial Manager$12,053/mo14%
Marketing Manager$11,275/mo15%
Sales Manager$11,095/mo15%
Public Relations Manager$11,073/mo15%
Architectural and Engineering Manager$10,992/mo15%
Purchasing Manager$10,934/mo15%
Human Resources Manager$10,912/mo15%
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product$9,896/mo17%
Lawyer$9,826/mo17%
Operations Manager$9,644/mo17%
Optometrist$9,536/mo17%
Network Architect$9,404/mo18%
Nurse Practitioner$9,292/mo18%
Construction Manager$9,283/mo18%
Industrial Production Manager$9,161/mo18%
Police and Detective$8,914/mo19%
Physician Assistant$8,912/mo19%
Actuary$8,821/mo19%
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$8,715/mo19%
Veterinarian$8,643/mo19%
Administrative Services Manager$8,571/mo19%
Software Developer$8,559/mo19%
Information Security Analyst$8,537/mo19%
Pharmacist$8,527/mo19%
Psychologist$8,496/mo19%
Data Scientist$8,487/mo20%
Computer Hardware Engineer$8,415/mo20%
Healthcare Manager$8,409/mo20%
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$8,310/mo20%
Firefighting and Prevention Worker$8,255/mo20%
Financial Advisor$8,234/mo20%
Medical Scientist$8,195/mo20%
Facilities Manager$8,128/mo20%
Systems Analyst$8,007/mo21%
Database Administrator$7,764/mo21%
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairer$7,316/mo23%
Producers and Director$7,238/mo23%
Project Management Specialist$7,078/mo23%
Computer Programmer$7,069/mo23%
Electrical Engineer$7,028/mo24%
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester$6,890/mo24%
Occupational Therapist$6,797/mo24%
Physical Therapist$6,761/mo24%
Network Administrator$6,750/mo25%
Management Consultant$6,745/mo25%
Financial Analyst$6,739/mo25%
Detectives and Criminal Investigator$6,711/mo25%
Mechanical Engineer$6,654/mo25%
Operations Research Analyst$6,639/mo25%
Labor Relations Specialist$6,602/mo25%
Industrial Engineer$6,592/mo25%
Financial Examiner$6,566/mo25%
Registered Nurse$6,510/mo25%
Civil Engineer$6,503/mo25%
Accountant$6,481/mo26%
Non-Retail Sales Worker$6,462/mo26%
Dental Hygienist$6,456/mo26%
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairer$6,428/mo26%
Speech Pathologist$6,319/mo26%
Architect$6,274/mo26%
Logistician$6,127/mo27%
Respiratory Therapist$6,124/mo27%
Insurance Underwriter$6,057/mo27%
Sonographer$6,044/mo27%
Construction Supervisor$6,030/mo27%
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$6,004/mo28%
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent$5,998/mo28%
Police Officer$5,970/mo28%
Social and Community Service Manager$5,957/mo28%
Compliance Officer$5,872/mo28%
Buyers and Purchasing Agent$5,836/mo28%
Correctional Officer$5,685/mo29%
Chemist$5,627/mo29%
Web and Digital Interface Designer$5,566/mo30%
Firefighter$5,546/mo30%
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist$5,544/mo30%
Mechanics, Installers, and Repairer$5,492/mo30%
Instructional Coordinator$5,448/mo30%
Market Research Analyst$5,427/mo31%
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician$5,393/mo31%
Loan Officer$5,366/mo31%
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$5,341/mo31%
Computer Network Support Specialist$5,330/mo31%
Claims Adjuster$5,318/mo31%
Sheet Metal Worker$5,318/mo31%
Radiologic Technologist$5,309/mo31%
Equipment Operator$5,303/mo31%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$5,266/mo31%
Cost Estimator$5,253/mo32%
High School Teacher$5,244/mo32%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist$5,208/mo32%
Property Manager$5,198/mo32%
Dietitian$5,194/mo32%
Food Service Manager$5,184/mo32%
Credit Analyst$5,182/mo32%
Medical Equipment Repairer$5,173/mo32%
Web Developer$5,173/mo32%
Training and Development Specialist$5,161/mo32%
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$5,146/mo32%
Construction and Building Inspector$5,124/mo32%
Paramedic$5,121/mo32%
HR Specialist$5,112/mo32%
Plumber$5,099/mo32%
Elementary School Teacher$5,093/mo33%
Sales Representative$5,093/mo33%
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$5,084/mo33%
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistant$5,072/mo33%
Insurance Agent$5,068/mo33%
Healthcare Social Worker$5,049/mo33%
Production and Operating Worker$4,987/mo33%
School Counselor$4,958/mo33%
Writer$4,941/mo34%
Librarian$4,938/mo34%
Public Relations Specialist$4,913/mo34%
Special Ed Teacher$4,875/mo34%
Chiropractor$4,811/mo34%
Editor$4,779/mo35%
Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Worker$4,777/mo35%
Fundraiser$4,755/mo35%
Social Worker$4,752/mo35%
Audio and Video Technician$4,751/mo35%
Clergy$4,703/mo35%
Office and Administrative Support Worker$4,649/mo36%
Real Estate Agent$4,638/mo36%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher$4,633/mo36%
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,607/mo36%
Physical Therapist Assistant$4,560/mo36%
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$4,550/mo36%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$4,549/mo36%
Carpenter$4,525/mo37%
Surgical Technologist$4,523/mo37%
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technician$4,459/mo37%
Paralegals and Legal Assistant$4,444/mo37%
Electrician$4,436/mo37%
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$4,424/mo37%
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$4,360/mo38%
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner$4,302/mo38%
Advertising Sales Agent$4,256/mo39%
IT Support Specialist$4,237/mo39%
Chef$4,225/mo39%
Architectural and Civil Drafter$4,206/mo39%
Licensed Practical Nurse$4,200/mo39%
Diesel Mechanic$4,148/mo40%
Fitness Trainer$4,114/mo40%
Graphic Designer$4,100/mo40%
Truck Driver$4,062/mo41%
Interior Designer$4,043/mo41%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$4,039/mo41%
HVAC Technician$4,026/mo41%
Opticians, Dispensing$4,015/mo41%
Roofer$3,993/mo41%
Postal Service Clerk$3,975/mo42%
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technician$3,966/mo42%
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technician$3,966/mo42%
Construction Laborer$3,954/mo42%
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$3,916/mo42%
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$3,899/mo42%
Cargo and Freight Agent$3,894/mo43%
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$3,884/mo43%
Security Worker$3,837/mo43%
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$3,832/mo43%
Automotive Body and Related Repairer$3,830/mo43%
Journalist$3,830/mo43%
Medical Records Specialist$3,804/mo44%
Machinist$3,782/mo44%
Sports Coach$3,780/mo44%
Painter$3,734/mo44%
Welder$3,725/mo44%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$3,694/mo45%
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operator$3,673/mo45%
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk$3,669/mo45%
Massage Therapist$3,665/mo45%
Postal Service Mail Carrier$3,661/mo45%
Biological Technician$3,657/mo45%
Housekeeping and Janitorial Worker$3,650/mo45%
Psychiatric Technician$3,643/mo45%
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer$3,621/mo46%
Retail Supervisor$3,551/mo47%
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk$3,537/mo47%
Tax Preparer$3,532/mo47%
Bus Drivers, School$3,507/mo47%
Public Safety Telecommunicator$3,472/mo48%
Bookkeeper$3,468/mo48%
Auto Mechanic$3,463/mo48%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,347/mo49%
Medical Equipment Preparer$3,326/mo50%
Court, Municipal, and License Clerk$3,322/mo50%
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$3,259/mo51%
Photographer$3,249/mo51%
Loan Interviewers and Clerk$3,189/mo52%
Ophthalmic Medical Technician$3,188/mo52%
Highway Maintenance Worker$3,180/mo52%
Library Technician$3,160/mo52%
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter$3,156/mo52%
Bill and Account Collector$3,147/mo53%
Maintenance Worker$3,145/mo53%
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tender$3,127/mo53%
Billing and Posting Clerk$3,125/mo53%
Admin Assistant$3,124/mo53%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,123/mo53%
Social and Human Service Assistant$3,107/mo53%
Self-Enrichment Teacher$3,102/mo53%
Butchers and Meat Cutter$3,099/mo53%
Veterinary Technologists and Technician$3,064/mo54%
Printing Press Operator$3,051/mo54%
Dental Assistant$3,041/mo54%
Food Service Supervisor$3,041/mo54%
Phlebotomist$3,040/mo54%
EMT$3,015/mo55%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weigher$3,001/mo55%
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Program$2,997/mo55%
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,997/mo55%
Tutor$2,991/mo55%
Pest Control Worker$2,967/mo56%
Customer Service Rep$2,951/mo56%
Medical Assistant$2,947/mo56%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$2,945/mo56%
Teller$2,924/mo57%
Delivery Driver$2,921/mo57%
Office Clerk$2,917/mo57%
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$2,884/mo57%
Personal Service Worker$2,850/mo58%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,848/mo58%
Skincare Specialist$2,820/mo59%
Parts Salesperson$2,807/mo59%
Rehabilitation Counselor$2,772/mo60%
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$2,740/mo60%
Data Entry Keyer$2,731/mo61%
Landscaper$2,716/mo61%
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk$2,704/mo61%
Nursing Assistant$2,694/mo61%
Packers and Packagers, Hand$2,664/mo62%
Order Clerk$2,660/mo62%
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,621/mo63%
Preschool Teacher$2,567/mo65%
File Clerk$2,562/mo65%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender$2,556/mo65%
Residential Advisor$2,549/mo65%
Crossing Guards and Flagger$2,517/mo66%
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk$2,508/mo66%
Couriers and Messenger$2,507/mo66%
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeur$2,501/mo66%
Tire Repairers and Changer$2,501/mo66%
Pharmacy Technician$2,495/mo66%
Bartender$2,485/mo67%
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer$2,477/mo67%
Driver/Sales Worker$2,475/mo67%
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$2,463/mo67%
Security Guard$2,461/mo67%
Counter and Rental Clerk$2,457/mo67%
Receptionist$2,454/mo67%
Slaughterers and Meat Packer$2,451/mo68%
Warehouse Worker$2,436/mo68%
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmer$2,429/mo68%
Server$2,423/mo68%
Restaurant Cook$2,421/mo68%
Library Assistants, Clerical$2,417/mo69%
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$2,409/mo69%
Janitor$2,380/mo70%
Hairdresser$2,376/mo70%
Teaching Assistant$2,356/mo70%
Stockers and Order Filler$2,350/mo70%
Baker$2,348/mo71%
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,343/mo71%
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerk$2,339/mo71%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner$2,315/mo72%
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$2,313/mo72%
Home Health Aide$2,308/mo72%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,301/mo72%
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$2,285/mo72%
Sewing Machine Operator$2,274/mo73%
Food Batchmaker$2,260/mo73%
Food Preparation Worker$2,254/mo73%
Retail Salesperson$2,252/mo74%
School Bus Monitor$2,236/mo74%
Recreation Worker$2,231/mo74%
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$2,230/mo74%
Parking Attendant$2,220/mo75%
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helper$2,215/mo75%
Animal Caretaker$2,213/mo75%
Cooks, Short Order$2,173/mo76%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Taker$2,113/mo78%
Cooks, Fast Food$2,061/mo80%
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$2,059/mo80%
Telemarketer$2,051/mo81%
Dishwasher$2,048/mo81%
Manicurists and Pedicurist$2,034/mo81%
Cashier$2,028/mo82%
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker$2,028/mo82%
Childcare Worker$2,018/mo82%
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$2,018/mo82%
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$2,016/mo82%
Amusement and Recreation Attendant$2,012/mo82%
Fast Food and Counter Worker$1,982/mo84%

Pay is BLS OEWS 2023 state median wages after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. It doesn't include state taxes, insurance, transport, or the cost of moving.

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