Hillsborough Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Hillsborough, NJ: $31.88/hr median hourly wage, $66,311 median annual salary, cost of living index 122.4, and $15.13/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and New Jersey taxes.
Hillsborough Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Hillsborough, NJ is $31.88/hr,equivalent to $66,311 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $19.77/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $45.27/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.13/hr.
Median figures are Salario estimates: BLS OEWS does not publish a metropolitan-area wage series that covers Hillsborough, NJ.
Median Salary
$66,311
$31.88/hr
Cost of Living
122.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.13
per hour
Unemployment
4.4%
rate
Hillsborough, NJ Overview
Population
40,903
Median Salary
$66,311
Average Salary
$74,268
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$422,000
Median Rent
$1,708/mo
Job Growth
+0.8%
Sales Tax
6.625%
Hillsborough is located in New Jersey with a population of 40,903. The median annual wage across all occupations is $66,311 ($31.88/hour, Salario estimate), which is $15,331 above the national median of $50,980. The national median is the BLS OEWS May 2025 all-occupations median annual wage. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.8%.
Hillsborough Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Hillsborough, NJ built around the $66,311 median salary (Salario estimate). Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile. The non-median rows are Salario estimates.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $41,113 | $19.77/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $66,311 | $31.88/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $94,162 | $45.27/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $118,034 | $56.75/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) are Salario approximations of the typical all-occupations wage spread in BLS OEWS metro tables; only the median row is a published BLS value where BLS covers the metro, which is not the case here. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Hillsborough Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Hillsborough, NJ, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$53,290
$4,440.81/month · $2,049.60/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.6%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,049.60 take-home per paycheck after estimated New Jersey and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$66,311
Federal Tax
-$5,777
State Tax
-$2,171
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,073
Net Pay
$53,290
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,525.92 | $66,311.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$481.44 | -$5,777.32 |
| New Jersey State Tax (3.27% eff.) | -$180.93 | -$2,171.18 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$342.61 | -$4,111.28 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$80.13 | -$961.51 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,440.81 | $53,289.71 |
Salary Comparison: Hillsborough vs Other Cities
See how Hillsborough's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough, NJ | $66,311 | 122.4 | $54,176 |
| National Average | $50,980 | 100 | $50,980 |
| North Bergen, NJ | $66,363 | 118 | $56,240 |
| West Falls Church, VA | $66,376 | 102.6 | $64,694 |
| Ewing, NJ | $66,215 | 126 | $52,552 |
| Milford Mill, MD | $66,200 | 112.8 | $58,688 |
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 Hillsborough
Hillsborough's cost of living index is 122.4 (national average = 100). Living in Hillsborough is 22.400000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$422,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,708
Annual Rent Cost
$20,496
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $53,290 annual take-home pay in Hillsborough has the purchasing power of approximately $43,537 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $81,165 in Hillsborough to match a $66,311 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Hillsborough
Hillsborough's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $66,311.
Salary Tips for Hillsborough Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Hillsborough has a cost of living 22.400000000000006% 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 top 10.75% 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. Hillsborough's top industries include Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $66,311 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 Hillsborough salary data: BLS OEWS does not publish a metropolitan-area series covering Hillsborough, so the median and average salary here are Salario estimates built from state and regional wage references, not BLS survey values. The entry/senior/top-10% rows and paycheck estimate are Salario calculations built on that estimate. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Hillsborough indexed at 122.4.
- Median salary: $66,311 annual, $31.88 hourly, Salario estimate.
- Tax burden reflects New Jersey 2026 state income tax brackets and standard deduction (top rate 10.75%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.625%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Hillsborough: 4.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics, based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for New Jersey.
- Housing context: median home price $422,000, median rent $1,708/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Hillsborough, NJ:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Hillsborough unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau, Hillsborough 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. Hillsborough'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 Harlan Voss · Last updated September 17, 2026 · Wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026) where available · Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Hillsborough, NJ?
The median hourly wage in Hillsborough, NJ is estimated at $31.88 per hour (Salario model; BLS does not publish a metropolitan-area series for this city). At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $66,311 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $19.77/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $45.27/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Hillsborough, NJ?
The median salary in Hillsborough, NJ is $66,311 per year, or $31.88 per hour (Salario estimate). The average salary is $74,268. This is $15,331 above the BLS national median of $50,980.
What is the cost of living in Hillsborough, NJ?
Hillsborough's cost of living index is 122.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 22.400000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $422,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,708.
What are the best industries in Hillsborough?
The top industries in Hillsborough, NJ include Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics. The city has a job growth rate of 0.8% and an unemployment rate of 4.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $66,311.
How does Hillsborough's salary compare to other cities?
Hillsborough's median salary of $66,311 is 30.1% above the national median of $50,980. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 122.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $54,176.
What is the minimum wage in Hillsborough, NJ?
The minimum wage in Hillsborough, 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.