In New Jersey, data science jobs continue to be highly coveted as employers in the state continue to pay skilled professionals in the field some of the highest salaries in the nation. In fact, the United States Department of Labor even formally acknowledged New Jersey as a national leader in terms of employment opportunities and salary potential for master’s-educated data scientists, publishing the following highlights in 2014:
- New Jersey was the second highest paying state in the nation for data scientists working in epidemiological research roles in the field of public health.
- New Jersey was also the second highest paying state nationwide for data scientists in survey research.
Starting Salary Ranges for Data Scientist in New Jersey’s Major Cities
The global IT non-profit trade association CompTIA recently named New Jersey among the top three largest states for tech industry employment in its 2015 Cyberstates analysis report. This comes as welcome news for data scientists whom rely on employment growth trends to make high-salaried jobs more ubiquitous.
Yet, either without this tech employment surge, data scientists still receive some of the fattest paychecks in the industry. For instance, in 2015 the Innovation New Jersey Coalition reported that the state’s tech industry typically offered workers an average annual salary of $111,600, which was 90% higher than the average pay in the private sector. But just one year later, in 2016, some data scientists were earning average starting salaries of over $200,000.
Some of the best-paid data scientists in New Jersey don’t wait around for potential employers to approach them, but proactively seek out highly coveted positions with distinguished companies. In 2015, New Jersey Tech Weekly named the following business the “16 Best Tech Companies to Work for in New Jersey”:
- Billtrust (Hamilton)
- EMC Corporation (Warren)
- Enroute Computer Solutions (Egg Harbor Township)
- iCIMS (Matawan)
- IT America Inc. (Edison)
- Apex Technology Group (Edison)
- Applied Info Group (Kenilworth)
- ForeFront (Fair Haven)
- Internet Creations (Hamilton)
- com (Basking Ridge)
- RAMPS International Inc. (Edison)
- SBS Group (Edison)
- The Casey Group (Parsippany)
- V12 Group (Red Bank)
- Wayside Technology Group Inc. (Shrewsbury)
- Yashi (Toms River)
In 2016, the IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology looked at thousands of past job placements to assess the average starting salaries for data scientists hired in cities across New Jersey. Bonuses and other incentives do not factor into the following salary statistics:
Newark Area
- Newark: $153,000-$215,000
- Woodbridge: $153,000-$215,000
- Paramus: $142,000-$200,000
Edison Area
- Edison: $138,000-$194,000
- Princeton: $136,000-$192,000
- Trenton: $136,000-$192,000
Camden Area
- Camden: $123,000-$173,000
- Mount Laurel: $125,000-$177,000
- Ewing: $136,000-$192,000
- Vineland: $92,000-$130,000
Other Cities
- Jersey City: $153,000-$215,000
- Paterson: $142,000-$200,000
- Elizabeth: $138,000-$194,000
Salaries for Data Scientists in New Jersey According to Industry of Employment
The United States Department of Labor reported the following salary ranges for New Jersey’s data scientists to show what can be expected in terms of salary potential is a number of key roles and industries (2014):
Statistical Modeling
- $135,200 – $157,500
Computer and Information Research Science
- $143,900 – $167,500
Operations Research
- $143,900 – $167,500
Financial Services
- $108,300 – $156,100
Epidemiology/Public Health
- $110,100 – $122,400
Survey Research
- $102,800 – $137,700
Salaries for New Jersey’s Statistical Modeling Professionals According to Location
In 2014, the United States Department of Labor named New Jersey the highest paying state in the nation for data scientists that specialize in statistical modeling. The Edison-New Brunswick area earned the distinction of not only being the top paying location for statistical modeling professionals in the state, but also the second highest paying metropolitan area for these specialists nationwide:
- Edison-New Brunswick NJ Metropolitan Division – $187,199*
- Newark-Union NJ-PA Metropolitan Division – $153,720
- Trenton-Ewing – $146,290
*These salaries are equal to or greater than $90 an hour or $187,199 a year. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report salary data beyond this level.
Salaries for New Jersey’s Computer and Information Research Scientists According to Location
In 2014, the United States Department of Labor named New Jersey the fifth highest paying state for computer and information research scientists in the nation. At that time, those practicing in the Newark-Union, NJ-PA Trenton-Ewing regions earned the following:
- Newark-Union NJ-PA Metropolitan Division – $185,050
- Trenton-Ewing – $162,080
Salaries for Data Scientists in Operations Research Throughout New Jersey
According to the United States Department of Labor, employers in New Jersey awarded data scientists working in an operations research capacity the highest salaries in the country:
- Camden NJ Metropolitan Division – $140,870
- Edison-New Brunswick NJ Metropolitan Division – $132,370
- Newark-Union NJ-PA Metropolitan Division – $144,180
- Trenton-Ewing – $165,710
The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics information shown here reflects salary data for broad occupational classifications that include data scientists. These estimates are expressed as 90th percentile averages to reflect the fact that data scientists are recognized as the top earners within each classification.