Economist salary in New Jersey
Economists in New Jersey earn a median of $167,550 a year ($80.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $124,720. New Jersey ranks 2nd of 40 states for economists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.07 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $161,990, close to the median.
Pay range for economists in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,990 | $40.38 |
| 25th percentile | $126,940 | $61.03 |
| Median | $167,550 | $80.55 |
| 75th percentile | $192,960 | $92.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $161,990 | $77.88 |
Half of economists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,981.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,444.23 |
| Weekly | $3,222.12 |
| Hourly | $80.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $176,090 | 850 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $139,530 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for economists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,590 |
| New Jersey | $167,550 |
| Delaware | $159,120 |
| Maryland | $144,680 |
| Kansas | $138,790 |
| Virginia | $137,590 |
| New York | $136,660 |
| North Carolina | $136,150 |
| Idaho | $131,270 |
| Alabama | $129,960 |
Related jobs in New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $127,090 | $61.10 |
| School Psychologist | $95,160 | $45.75 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $86,280 | $41.48 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,260 | $48.68 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $66,230 | $31.84 |
| Historian | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Survey Researcher | $95,580 | $45.95 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,280 | $62.16 |
| Chemist | $84,450 | $40.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $122,620 | $58.95 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a economist make in New Jersey?
The median salary for economists in New Jersey is $167,550 a year, or $80.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of economists in New Jersey earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $192,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,990 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $126,940 or less.
How many economists work in New Jersey?
About 280 economists are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.