Salary & Cost of Living in Clifton, NJ
Clifton, NJ: $80,834 median salary, cost of living index 126.9, $15.13/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$80,834
$39/hr
Cost of Living
126.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.13
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Clifton, NJ Overview
Population
89,266
Median Salary
$80,834
Average Salary
$90,534
Avg Commute
21 min
Median Home Price
$413,000
Median Rent
$1,697/mo
Job Growth
+2.4%
Sales Tax
6.625%
Clifton is located in New Jersey with a population of 89,266. The median household salary is $80,834 per year ($39/hour), which is $21,450 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 21 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.4%.
Clifton Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Clifton, NJ based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $80,834 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $50,117 | $24.09/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $80,834 | $38.86/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $114,784 | $55.18/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $143,885 | $69.17/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Clifton Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Clifton, NJ, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$58,002
$4,833.49/month · $2,230.84/biweekly · Effective Rate: 28.2%
Gross Pay
$80,834
Federal Tax
-$9,397
State Tax
-$7,251
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$6,184
Net Pay
$58,002
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $6,736.17 | $80,834.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$783.12 | -$9,397.48 |
| New Jersey State Tax (8.97%) | -$604.23 | -$7,250.81 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$417.64 | -$5,011.71 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$97.67 | -$1,172.09 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,833.49 | $58,001.91 |
Salary Comparison: Clifton vs Other Cities
See how Clifton's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton, NJ | $80,834 | 126.9 | $63,699 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Oakland, CA | $80,200 | 165 | $48,606 |
| Roswell, GA | $80,000 | 108 | $74,074 |
| New Rochelle, NY | $80,000 | 150 | $53,333 |
| Gloucester Township, NJ | $79,997 | 116.7 | $68,549 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Clifton
Clifton's cost of living index is 126.9 (national average = 100). Living in Clifton is 26.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$413,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,697
Annual Rent Cost
$20,364
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $58,002 annual take-home pay in Clifton has the purchasing power of approximately $45,707 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $102,578 in Clifton to match a $80,834 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Clifton
Clifton's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $80,834.
Salary Tips for Clifton Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Clifton has a cost of living 26.900000000000006% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 8.97% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Clifton's top industries include Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $80,834 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Clifton salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Clifton-NJ metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Clifton indexed at 126.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Clifton's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $80,834 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects New Jersey state income tax (8.97%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.625%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Clifton: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for New Jersey.
- Housing context: median home price $413,000, median rent $1,697/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Clifton, NJ:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Clifton unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Clifton QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — New Jersey — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Clifton's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent New Jersey labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Clifton, NJ?
The median salary in Clifton, NJ is $80,834 per year, or $39 per hour. The average salary is $90,534. This is $21,450 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Clifton, NJ?
Clifton's cost of living index is 126.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 26.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $413,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,697.
What are the best industries in Clifton?
The top industries in Clifton, NJ include Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics. The city has a job growth rate of 2.4% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $80,834.
How does Clifton's salary compare to other cities?
Clifton's median salary of $80,834 is 36.1% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 126.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $63,699.
What is the minimum wage in Clifton, NJ?
The minimum wage in Clifton, NJ is $15.13 per hour. This equals approximately $31,470 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.88 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.