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State comparison · 2025

Physicists salary: New Jersey vs Pennsylvania

Occupation

Physicists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $210,990. In New Jersey, $163,270. After cost-of-living, the gap is 30.6% — not 22.6%.

Nominal pay gap
-22.6%
New Jersey vs Pennsylvania
COL-adjusted gap
-30.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

New Jersey

Physicists

Median
$163,270
p25
$120,820
p75
$222,140
p10
$100,490
p90
$289,830
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
108.8
Hiring velocity (180d)
-15%
See full breakdown for New Jersey

Pennsylvania

Physicists

Median
$210,990
p25
$150,950
p75
$231,190
p10
$88,300
p90
$261,820
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
97.6
Hiring velocity (180d)
+73%
See full breakdown for Pennsylvania

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.