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Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in New Jersey: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary really buy you in New Jersey?

New Jersey is 8.8% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$82,890
Median annual (2025)
-8.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$76,185
COL-adjusted (RPP=108.8)

New Jersey Cost of Living Index

New Jersey's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 108.8, meaning prices are 8.8% higher the national average. A Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary earning $82,890 in New Jersey has the equivalent purchasing power of $76,185 in an average-cost US state.

NJ: 108.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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) $34,420 $31,636 $-2,783
25th Percentile (P25) $65,210 $59,935 $-5,274
Median (P50) $82,890 $76,185 $-6,704
75th Percentile (P75) $127,370 $117,068 $-10,301
90th Percentile (P90) $160,350 $147,380 $-12,969
Key Insight

While $82,890 sounds high, New Jersey's elevated cost of living erases 8% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $76,185. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

New Jersey Is a High-Cost State

RPP 108.8

New Jersey's RPP of 108.8 puts it 8.8% above the national baseline cost of living. A Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-8.1%

After applying New Jersey's RPP, the $82,890 median salary translates to $76,186 in real terms — a 8.1% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#36 / 38

New Jersey ranks #36 of 38 — bottom quartile for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary (After Cost of Living)

Where does Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$155,604
RPP 89.4
$128,018
RPP 88.8
$124,819
RPP 105.0
$122,274
RPP 91.0
$120,695
RPP 93.4
6. Utah
$109,534
RPP 94.5
7. Montana
$108,405
RPP 90.3
$107,363
RPP 91.8
$106,346
RPP 93.6
10. Illinois
$103,099
RPP 101.3

New Jersey ranks #36 out of 38 states for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary take-home pay in New Jersey after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary in New Jersey after cost of living?

A Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary in New Jersey earns a median salary of $82,890 per year. After adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (RPP=108.8), the real purchasing power is $76,185 — a -8.1% difference.

Is New Jersey expensive to live in?

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).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

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.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary in New Jersey: $82,890 x (100 / 108.8) = $76,185. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in New Jersey offset the salary?

Partially — a Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary's nominal salary of $82,890 in New Jersey has 8.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $76,185. However, New Jersey may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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