What does a Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary really buy you in New Jersey?
New Jersey is 8.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
New Jersey's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 108.8, meaning prices are 8.8% higher the national average. A Atmospheric and Space Scientists earning $104,020 in New Jersey has the equivalent purchasing power of $95,606 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $61,450 | $56,479 | $-4,970 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $79,830 | $73,373 | $-6,456 |
| Median (P50) | $104,020 | $95,606 | $-8,413 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $162,160 | $149,044 | $-13,115 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $186,620 | $171,525 | $-15,094 |
While $104,020 sounds high, New Jersey's elevated cost of living erases 8% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $95,606. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
New Jersey ranks #24 out of 43 states for Atmospheric and Space Scientists after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Atmospheric and Space Scientists in New Jersey earns a median salary of $104,020 per year. After adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (RPP=108.8), the real purchasing power is $95,606 — a -8.1% difference.
New Jersey's cost of living is 8.8% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for New Jersey is 108.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Atmospheric and Space Scientists in New Jersey: $104,020 x (100 / 108.8) = $95,606. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Atmospheric and Space Scientists's nominal salary of $104,020 in New Jersey has 8.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $95,606. However, New Jersey may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.