Economist Salary in New Jersey (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Economists in New Jersey, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$167,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$80.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+34% vs US median
US median $124,720
State Rank
#2 of 40
280 employed here

How much does an Economist make in New Jersey?

Economists in New Jersey take home a median of $167,550 annually — roughly $80.55 an hour — which runs 34% above the national median of $124,720.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $83,990 while the top 10% make $195,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $126,940 and $192,960 a year.

Economist salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$83,990$40.38
25th percentile (early career)$126,940$61.03
50th percentile (median)$167,550$80.55
75th percentile (experienced)$192,960$92.77
90th percentile (top earners)$195,190$93.84

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 2nd out of 40 states and territories for Economist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$167,590
2New Jersey$167,550
3Delaware$159,120
4Maryland$144,680
5Kansas$138,790

Working as an Economist in New Jersey

Nationally, about 18,000 people work as Economists in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare New Jersey pay ($167,550) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Economist make in New Jersey?
The median Economist salary in New Jersey is $167,550 per year, or about $80.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,990 at the entry level to $195,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Economists about 34% more than the national median of $124,720. New Jersey ranks 2nd out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Economists?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $167,550 a year. About 280 Economists are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Economist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.