Top 30 Highest – Paying Jobs In New Jersey In 2022
Top 30 Highest – Paying Jobs In New Jersey In 2022
Table Content

New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware River and Pennsylvania; and on the southwest by Delaware Bay and the state of Delaware. At 7,354 square miles (19,050 km2), New Jersey is the fifth-smallest state based on land area, but with close to 9.3 million residents, is the 11th-most populous and the most densely populated state. New Jersey's state capital is Trenton, while the state's most populous city is Newark.

New Jersey has many opportunities for career growth across various industries. People might seek high-paying opportunities in health care, finance and technology as they hope to earn more money in different roles. Learning about some of these jobs can help you decide if pursuing one of them is right for you.

According to USA Wage, the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey are those of family medicine physician, with an average annual salary of $203,620. The second highest-paying jobs are those of natural sciences manager, with an average salary of $191,860.

Here are the top 30 highest–paying jobs that will give you a lot of opportunities and high wages in New Jersey.

Related: Top 50 Most Popular Jobs In New Jersey That You Can Find

The benefits of working and living in New Jersey

Endless possibilities

New Jersey is the best place in the U.S. to live, work and play. From leafy parks and historical sites to artsy downtowns with breweries and cafes, New Jersey has it all. Close to urban centers in every direction, including a quick train ride into Manhattan or Philadelphia, New Jersey is a vibrant mix of bucolic and bustle, charm and culture. We are home to mountains, beaches, lakes, and cityscapes – perfect for date nights or daytime adventures. New Jersey is home to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and offers convenient proximity to surrounding John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). With so many avenues at your advantage, New Jersey can truly transport you anywhere. Maybe that’s why New Jersey has been named the “most mentally and physically fit state” according to WalletHub’s Happiest States in America list.

Arts & Culture

New Jersey has many thriving downtowns with full of art galleries, performing arts centers, unique shops, restaurants and other cultural attractions. Stroll Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair for boutique shopping and ethnic cuisine after a visit to the Montclair Art Museum. Enjoy a day discovering antiques and art studios in Lambertville. Somerville is popular for its outdoor music festivals, arts and craft shows and street fairs. In Newark, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) inspires and enlightens with dance, music, comedy and conversations. Red Bank is home to a mix of upscale retailers and small businesses, including Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash – a comic store owned by famous New Jerseyan Kevin Smith. Catch a show at Broadway Theatre in Pitman and peruse the shelves at independent bookstore Words Matter.

Garden State eats

New Jersey has been named the “most edible state” by Savuer and the “food capital of America” by Public Radio International (PRI). Our food culture is driven by our rich immigrant communities, agriculture industry and the world’s highest density of diners. New Jersey is where every culture, palate and delicacy is celebrated.

Jersey City is a foodie destination and home to Razza – maker of New York’s best pizza according to The New York Times. Newark’s lronbound District is the go-to neighborhood for contemporary twists on old fashioned Portuguese, Spanish and Brazilian dining. From dosas to biryani, America’s best Indian food can be found in Edison and Iselin. Hoboken’s Carlo’s Bakery is where “Cake Boss” Buddy Valestro creates his famous cakes and cannoli. The White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City has been making its iconic hoagies since 1946. Trenton is famous for its pork roll (or Taylor ham) and tomato pie. The freshest farm-to-table dining can be found at upscale restaurants in Princeton.

Sports & Stadiums

Sports are a key component of New Jersey’s thriving entertainment scene. Our State is home to major league teams in football, soccer, and hockey. The New Jersey Devils, Newark’s NHL ice hockey team, are the face of the Prudential Center. While they may share a New York name, the New York Giants and the New York Jets also share a home field in New Jersey at MetLife Stadium. MLS soccer team the New York Red Bulls and NWSL team NJ/NY Gotham FC (formerly Sky Blue FC) are also based in Harrison, NJ.

New Jersey also boasts an impressive roster of collegiate sports. We are home to several D1 teams, including Rutgers Basketball, Rutgers Football, and Seton Hall Basketball. Rutgers Football is proudly part of the East Division of the Big Ten.

Outdoor Recreation

Home to all 4 seasons and a variety of geographical diversity, New Jersey provides exciting recreational opportunities.

Outdoor adventure-seekers can enjoy rafting down the Delaware River, exploring wetlands in Atlantic County or skiing at Mountain Creek Resort. The Sourland Mountain Preserve is perfect for hiking and biking. New Jersey is also ideal for golf enthusiasts – Pine Valley golf course is ranked #1 in the U.S. according to Golf Digest.

Branch Brook Park in Newark is home to 5,000+ cherry blossom trees (more than Washington, D.C.) that burst into full bloom during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in April. Many enjoy strolling through botanical and sculpture gardens like Frelinghuysen Arboretum or Grounds for Sculpture. Island Beach State Park was named the #1 state park in the U.S. according to HomeToGo.com in 2018.

New Jersey is full of Revolutionary War history. Trenton is considered the “Crossroads of the Revolution” where George Washington crossed the Delaware River in 1776. The Morristown National Historical Park preserves the home to General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment.

What are the highest–paying jobs in New Jersey in 2022?

1. Nurse

Average salary: $92,508 per year

Primary duties: Nurses are medical professionals working in various facilities like hospitals, doctors' offices and long-term care facilities. They often perform basic tasks to understand a patient's health needs, like monitoring blood pressure, detailing conditions, educating patients and administering medication. Nurses communicate with doctors and other health care professionals who might need to assist with their patients.

2. Compensation manager

Average salary: $107,806 per year

Primary duties: Compensation managers are human resources professionals who determine compensation and rewards for companies. They often write job descriptions, research competitive salaries and determine wage ranges for certain positions. Depending on the size of the company, the compensation manager may also work with insurance companies to determine benefits that they might offer employees.

3. Finance manager

Average salary: $108,692 per year

Primary duties: Finance managers are professionals who oversee revenue, expenses and other financial figures for a company. These professionals might create regular reports to analyze and communicate any recommendations to a company's leadership team.

4. Head of security

Photo: Linkedin
Photo: Linkedin

Average salary: $111,534 per year

Primary duties: Heads of security, or security managers, often determine the security protocols a business or location might follow. Depending on the size of their organization, they might manage a staff of security officers as they patrol grounds, verify identification, manage employee databases and other tasks that can keep a building safe. They might work for companies that work in office buildings, hospitals, airports and other facilities.

5. Software engineer

Photo: The Balance Careers
Photo: The Balance Careers

Average salary: $114,121 per year

Primary duties: Software engineers develop and maintain computer programs and other applications. These technology professionals can work independently as freelancers, or for organizations. Sometimes, engineers might specialize in certain computer languages or program types. Duties involve gathering requirements, developing software, testing, releasing and decommissioning programs.

6. Engineering manager

Average salary: $118,205 per year

Primary duties: Engineering managers supervise teams of engineers on various projects for different clients. They often oversee the budgets of their projects, determine assignments and identify resources needed. As experts in their field, they may also research new strategies and development techniques and suggest ways that their teams might apply engineering principles to their jobs.

7. Network security engineer

Average salary: $117,499 per year

Primary duties: Network security engineers ensure a company's network and data are safe from internal and external threats, like malware or hacking. These technology professionals often work with other professionals to ensure they have the appropriate security protocol and that employees in an organization comply. Other duties might include troubleshooting network issues, researching security options and testing network security features.

8. Economist

Average salary: $119,448 per year

Primary duties: Economists are professionals who analyze economic trends and data. With this information, they can evaluate how a company or individual can manage their money. They often evaluate trends and present their information to stakeholders who might then make decisions based on their economic standing.

9. Chief operating officer

Average salary: $121,700 per year

Primary duties: Chief operating officers are one executive in an organization's C-suite. They often work with the chief executive office and board members to determine how the company should operate, including what tools they might use, how many people they need and what investments they might make. Besides their base salaries, COOs may receive additional earnings through profit sharing.

10. Vice president

Photo: The Balance Careers
Photo: The Balance Careers

Average salary: $130,604 per year

Primary duties: Vice presidents of organizations are senior-ranking members of various departments. You can become a VP of marketing, sales, finance and other areas, depending on the size of an organization. These professionals often help executives implement their strategy, oversee their department's organizational structure and determine processes to help a company meet its goals.

11. Statistician

Average salary: $134,370 per year

Primary duties: Statisticians either work independently or for companies to help them understand data and statistics. They work in several industries, including health care, research firms and government agencies. Some duties they perform include collecting data from various sources, identifying trends, creating graphs and presenting their findings to their clients or business stakeholders.

12. Medical manager

Photo: Career Girls
Photo: Career Girls

Average salary: $135,329 per year

Primary duties: Medical managers, or health services managers, oversee the operations of medical facilities like clinics or offices. They hire, train and manage the staff, ensuring the proper qualifications of each employee. These professionals might also manage programs, ensure quality care for patients and confirm that facilities comply with health and government guidelines.

13. Network architect

Average salary: $146,596 per year

Primary duties: Network architects build and maintain communication networks for organizations. They often gather requirements depending on a company's size and need and ensure its technology can function to meet business needs. Network components include wired and wireless devices, modems, routers and network databases to ensure efficient communication and productivity.

14. Dentist

Photo: The Balance Careers
Photo: The Balance Careers

Average salary: $194,867 per year

Primary duties: Dentists are medical professionals who assist patients with their oral health. Duties might include performing cleanings, filling cavities, administering anesthetics, conducting X-rays and recommending treatments. They might also perform more advance procedures like root canals, tooth removal or deep gum cleaning.

15. Physician

Average salary: $197,943 per year

Primary duties: Physicians are primary care doctors for individuals and families. They oversee their patients' medical records, perform routine and responsive health checks and prescribe medications and treatments as needed. Physicians might work independently at their own practice or work in a network of offices with other physicians and specialists.

16. Surgeon

Average salary: $245,174 per year

Primary duties: Surgeons are advanced health care professionals who work in facilities like hospitals. They often specialize in a specific area of the body or condition. Common duties of a surgeon might include performing surgery, ordering additional patient tests, reviewing patient medical records and developing treatment plans.

17. Marketing Directors

Salary Range: from 70,300 USD to 230,000 USD

Marketing directors are in charge of increasing the revenue of their organizations. They are directly responsible for generating business and they are well paid for that reason.

18. Orthodontists

Salary Range: from 106,000 USD to 345,000 USD

Orthodontists operate in an industry where people are willing to pay high costs for a service, which directly makes Orthodontists among the best paying jobs.

Orthodontists specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of teeth and jaw irregularities. One of their primary job functions is to design, fabricate, or use orthodontic appliances to realign teeth and jaws in order to allow for normal functioning and to improve appearance.

19. Judges

Photo: The Balance Careers
Photo: The Balance Careers

Salary Range: from 164,000 USD to 537,000 USD

Judges earn quite high salaries because of the huge responsibilities associated with their job. Deciding people's fates is not an easy task and the high wage is perfectly justified.

Judge Duties & Responsibilities

Judges perform a variety of tasks inside and outside the courtroom. In the courtroom, they perform the following duties:

  • Hear allegations of the prosecuting and defending parties.
  • Listen to witness testimony.
  • Rule on the admissibility of evidence.
  • Inform defendants of their rights.
  • Instruct the jury.
  • Question witnesses.
  • Rule on motions presented by counsel.
  • In criminal court, determine the guilt or innocence of criminal defendants and impose sentences on defendants found guilty.
  • In civil cases, determine liability or damages.

Judges don't do all of their work in the courtroom. They perform certain duties outside the courtroom (in chambers) as well. They research laws and regulations, issue opinions and case decisions, supervise the work of law clerks and other court staff, meet with attorneys to discuss cases and encourage settlement, and establish court rules and procedures. Some judges also perform marriage ceremonies and issue marriage licenses.

20. College Professors

Salary Range: from 93,800 USD to 307,000 USD

College professors are among the top-earning and most prestigious careers. Becoming a professor is not easy and requires persistence which is partly why they earn so high.

In addition to providing higher education, college is designed to provide a path for students to grow intellectually, and prepare for the workforce. College professors are educators who provide undergraduate and graduate education to students. Teaching college courses differs from teaching younger students, in that it is less about the age difference and more about the purpose of a college education. Becoming a college professor nearly always begins with a “probationary” position. Universities expect professors to distinguish themselves, to add value to their institutions and the educational experiences of their students.

21. Pilots

Photo: The Balance Careers
Photo: The Balance Careers

Salary Range: from 78,200 USD to 256,000 USD

Probably the only career on the list that involves some kind of excitement, nevertheless; pilots undergo rigorous training programs and they are responsible for the safety of thousands of people every day.

The pilot’s responsibilities include transporting passengers and cargo, determining the safest routes, analyzing flight plans and weather conditions, calculating fuel, and inspecting operation systems and navigation equipment. During emergencies, you should react appropriately and help keep the cabin crew and passengers calm.

22. Firefighters

Average salary: $86,880

Firefighters protect and rescue people from fire and emergencies. They respond to a variety of emergency calls including fires, car crashes, chemical spills, and flooding. These rescue professionals are often required to have in-depth knowledge of first aid and CPR methods.

Responsibilities:

  • Inspect and implement health and safety regulations in commercial and residential properties.
  • Coordinate with local police and ambulance service departments.
  • Monitor and maintain vehicles, equipment, hydrants, and water supplies.
  • Manage and extinguish forest or building fires.
  • Analyze scenes of fire or accidents to identify possible causes.
  • Remove debris and burned items from fire scenes.
  • Prepare detailed incident reports and submit them to management.
  • Participate in regular fire drills.
  • Assist with the promotion of fire safety by attending talks, seminars, and training sessions.

23. Chief Executive Officers

Salary Range: from 117,000 USD to 383,000 USD

CEOs are primarily responsible for the success or failure of complete organizations. Their huge remuneration is due to the vast scope of impact as well as the risks involved.

Broadly speaking, a chief executive officer's primary responsibilities include making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of a company, acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors and corporate operations.

24. Chief Financial Officers

Salary Range: from 109,000 USD to 358,000 USD

Any job that is about managing money automatically qualifies for high pay. CFOs manage budgets, spending, costs, and revenue which directly impacts the operations of the organization.

The chief financial officer (CFOs) holds the top financial position in an organization. They are responsible for tracking cash flow and financial planning and analyzing the company's financial strengths and weaknesses and proposing strategic directions.

25. Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Photo: The Balance Careers
Photo: The Balance Careers

Average Salary: $106,120

A Criminal Investigator is a professional who helps gather facts and evidence to solve cases more quickly. These professionals may work for city or county police departments and state agencies like those in charge of criminal databases. Although they collaborate often, Investigators are not considered police.

Responsibilities

  • Process crime scenes by performing scene recognition, scene documentation and evidence collection
  • Operate within the applicable laws governing the investigations
  • Initiate preliminary survey, generate initial theories and keep the ones that are not eliminated by incoming information
  • Thoroughly document scenes and gather potential evidences (physical, specimens, documents, photographs, statements etc) to send to crime lab
  • Examine and evaluate evidence for conflicting interpretations and resolve issues
  • Draft detailed investigative reports and be prepared to present evidence to the prosecutor
  • Find that nuance or piece of information that will be the crucial break
  • Identify, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators

26. Athletes and Sports Competitors

Photo: The Balance Careers
Photo: The Balance Careers

Average salary: $202,020

Athletes and sports competitors typically do the following: Practice to develop and improve their skills. Keep their sports equipment in good condition. Exercise, train, and follow special diets to stay in the best physical condition.

27. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Average salary: $131,540

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers oversee people who are working on transportation, storage, distribution, and other logistical activities for an organization. Their work may involve making sure that the company is operating in accordance with government laws.

28. Gambling Managers

Average Salary: $103,170

Gaming managers and supervisors direct and oversee gaming operations and staff. They circulate among the tables and slot machines to make sure everything runs smoothly. They explain house rules, ensure payouts are correct, and call security staff when needed.

29. First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Average salary: $113,610

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers. On the job, you would: Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts. Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.

30. First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Average salary: $122,720

What they do: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control. On the job, you would: Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.

Top 50 Most Popular Jobs In New Jersey That You Can Find Top 50 Most Popular Jobs In New Jersey That You Can Find

With New Jersey being a famous destination for people who are looking for work and a place to live, these 50 most popular jobs and ...

Top 30 Highest Paying and Most Popular Jobs in Texas Without a Degree Top 30 Highest Paying and Most Popular Jobs in Texas Without a Degree

A degree is necessary for you to have a secure and good job, but it is also possible to find one without a degree. Take ...

Top 30 Highest-Paying And Most Popular Jobs In Dallas, Texas Top 30 Highest-Paying And Most Popular Jobs In Dallas, Texas

Dallas is a famous destination for people who come looking for a place to live and work in Texas. Keep scrolling down to read more ...

Top 50 Most Common Jobs In Texas You Are Easy to Find Top 50 Most Common Jobs In Texas You Are Easy to Find

If you are planning to live and work in Texas, this article below will help you find the most popular and common job that you ...