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Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in New Jersey: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Recreation and Fitness Studies 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
$65,900
Median annual (2025)
-8.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$60,569
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 Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earning $65,900 in New Jersey has the equivalent purchasing power of $60,569 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) $51,170 $47,031 $-4,138
25th Percentile (P25) $60,860 $55,937 $-4,922
Median (P50) $65,900 $60,569 $-5,330
75th Percentile (P75) $84,490 $77,656 $-6,833
90th Percentile (P90) $103,630 $95,248 $-8,381
Key Insight

While $65,900 sounds high, New Jersey's elevated cost of living erases 8% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $60,569. 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 Recreation and Fitness Studies 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 $65,900 median salary translates to $60,570 in real terms — a 8.1% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#39 / 41

New Jersey ranks #39 of 41 — bottom quartile for Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary (After Cost of Living)

Where does Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$113,582
RPP 112.5
$92,990
RPP 105.0
3. Wyoming
$90,598
RPP 91.9
$89,603
RPP 93.4
$87,215
RPP 92.3
$86,912
RPP 91.0
$86,434
RPP 96.2
8. Iowa
$84,988
RPP 88.4
$84,188
RPP 93.6
10. Alabama
$82,779
RPP 87.8

New Jersey ranks #39 out of 41 states for Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary take-home pay in New Jersey after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary in New Jersey after cost of living?

A Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary in New Jersey earns a median salary of $65,900 per year. After adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (RPP=108.8), the real purchasing power is $60,569 — 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 Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary in New Jersey: $65,900 x (100 / 108.8) = $60,569. 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 Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary's nominal salary of $65,900 in New Jersey has 8.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $60,569. However, New Jersey may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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