Salary & Cost of Living in Fort Lee, NJ
Fort Lee, NJ: $64,605 median salary, cost of living index 110.9, $15.13/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$64,605
$31/hr
Cost of Living
110.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.13
per hour
Unemployment
3.6%
rate
Fort Lee, NJ Overview
Population
39,699
Median Salary
$64,605
Average Salary
$72,358
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Rent
$1,632/mo
Job Growth
+2.5%
Sales Tax
6.625%
Fort Lee is located in New Jersey with a population of 39,699. The median household salary is $64,605 per year ($31/hour), which is $5,221 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.5%.
Fort Lee Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Fort Lee, NJ based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $64,605 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 | $40,055 | $19.26/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $64,605 | $31.06/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $91,739 | $44.11/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $114,997 | $55.29/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.
Fort Lee Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Fort Lee, NJ, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$48,041
$4,003.38/month · $1,847.71/biweekly · Effective Rate: 25.6%
Gross Pay
$64,605
Federal Tax
-$5,827
State Tax
-$5,795
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,942
Net Pay
$48,041
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,383.75 | $64,605.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$485.59 | -$5,827.10 |
| New Jersey State Tax (8.97%) | -$482.92 | -$5,795.07 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$333.79 | -$4,005.51 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$78.06 | -$936.77 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,003.38 | $48,040.55 |
Salary Comparison: Fort Lee vs Other Cities
See how Fort Lee's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lee, NJ | $64,605 | 110.9 | $58,255 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Bay Ridge, NY | $64,576 | 132.9 | $48,590 |
| Minnetonka, MN | $64,552 | 102.1 | $63,224 |
| Orange, CA | $64,663 | 149.6 | $43,224 |
| West Springfield, VA | $64,674 | 105.1 | $61,536 |
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 Fort Lee
Fort Lee's cost of living index is 110.9 (national average = 100). Living in Fort Lee is 10.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,632
Annual Rent Cost
$19,584
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $48,041 annual take-home pay in Fort Lee has the purchasing power of approximately $43,319 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $71,647 in Fort Lee to match a $64,605 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Fort Lee
Fort Lee's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $64,605.
Salary Tips for Fort Lee Workers
- 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. Fort Lee's top industries include Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $64,605 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 Fort Lee salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Fort Lee-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 Fort Lee indexed at 110.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Fort Lee's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $64,605 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 Fort Lee: 3.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for New Jersey.
- Housing context: median home price $403,000, median rent $1,632/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Fort Lee, NJ:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Fort Lee unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Fort Lee 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. Fort Lee'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
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Fort Lee, NJ?
The median salary in Fort Lee, NJ is $64,605 per year, or $31 per hour. The average salary is $72,358. This is $5,221 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Fort Lee, NJ?
Fort Lee's cost of living index is 110.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $403,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,632.
What are the best industries in Fort Lee?
The top industries in Fort Lee, NJ include Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics. The city has a job growth rate of 2.5% and an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $64,605.
How does Fort Lee's salary compare to other cities?
Fort Lee's median salary of $64,605 is 8.8% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 110.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $58,255.
What is the minimum wage in Fort Lee, NJ?
The minimum wage in Fort Lee, 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.