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State comparison · 2025

Economists salary: California vs New Jersey

Occupation

Economists in New Jersey earn a median of $167,550. In California, $119,410. After cost-of-living, the gap is 30% — not 28.7%.

Nominal pay gap
-28.7%
California vs New Jersey
COL-adjusted gap
-30%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Economists

Median
$119,410
p25
$91,320
p75
$164,770
p10
$74,030
p90
$207,380
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-69%
See full breakdown for California

New Jersey

Economists

Median
$167,550
p25
$126,940
p75
$192,960
p10
$83,990
p90
$195,190
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
108.8
Hiring velocity (180d)
-33%
See full breakdown for New Jersey

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.