Lakewood Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Lakewood, NJ: $40.90/hr median hourly wage, $85,063 median annual salary, cost of living index 128.8, and $15.13/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and New Jersey taxes.
Lakewood Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Lakewood, NJ is $40.90/hr, equivalent to $85,063 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $25.36/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $58.08/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.13/hr.
Median Salary
$85,063
$40.90/hr
Cost of Living
128.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.13
per hour
Unemployment
4.3%
rate
Lakewood, NJ Overview
Population
106,300
Median Salary
$85,063
Average Salary
$95,271
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$504,000
Median Rent
$2,069/mo
Job Growth
+3%
Sales Tax
6.625%
Lakewood is located in New Jersey with a population of 106,300. The median household salary is $85,063 per year ($40.90/hour), which is $25,679 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +3%.
Lakewood Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Lakewood, NJ based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $85,063 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 | $52,739 | $25.36/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $85,063 | $40.90/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $120,789 | $58.08/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $151,412 | $72.80/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.
Lakewood Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Lakewood, NJ, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$61,042
$5,086.81/month · $2,347.76/biweekly · Effective Rate: 28.2%
Gross Pay
$85,063
Federal Tax
-$9,884
State Tax
-$7,630
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$6,507
Net Pay
$61,042
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $7,088.58 | $85,063.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$823.66 | -$9,883.86 |
| New Jersey State Tax (8.97%) | -$635.85 | -$7,630.15 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$439.49 | -$5,273.91 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$102.78 | -$1,233.41 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $5,086.81 | $61,041.67 |
Salary Comparison: Lakewood vs Other Cities
See how Lakewood's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood, NJ | $85,063 | 128.8 | $66,043 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Sandy Springs, GA | $85,000 | 112 | $75,893 |
| Boston, MA | $85,000 | 152 | $55,921 |
| Edison, NJ | $85,000 | 125 | $68,000 |
| New York, NY | $85,000 | 187 | $45,455 |
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 Lakewood
Lakewood's cost of living index is 128.8 (national average = 100). Living in Lakewood is 28.80000000000001% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$504,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,069
Annual Rent Cost
$24,828
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $61,042 annual take-home pay in Lakewood has the purchasing power of approximately $47,393 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $109,561 in Lakewood to match a $85,063 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Lakewood
Lakewood's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $85,063.
Salary Tips for Lakewood Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Lakewood has a cost of living 28.80000000000001% 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. Lakewood's top industries include Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $85,063 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 Lakewood salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Lakewood-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 Lakewood indexed at 128.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Lakewood's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $85,063 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 Lakewood: 4.3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 3% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for New Jersey.
- Housing context: median home price $504,000, median rent $2,069/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Lakewood, NJ:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Lakewood unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Lakewood 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. Lakewood'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 hourly wage in Lakewood, NJ?
The median hourly wage in Lakewood, NJ is $40.90 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $85,063 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $25.36/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $58.08/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Lakewood, NJ?
The median salary in Lakewood, NJ is $85,063 per year, or $40.90 per hour. The average salary is $95,271. This is $25,679 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Lakewood, NJ?
Lakewood's cost of living index is 128.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 28.80000000000001% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $504,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,069.
What are the best industries in Lakewood?
The top industries in Lakewood, NJ include Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Logistics. The city has a job growth rate of 3% and an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $85,063.
How does Lakewood's salary compare to other cities?
Lakewood's median salary of $85,063 is 43.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 128.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $66,043.
What is the minimum wage in Lakewood, NJ?
The minimum wage in Lakewood, 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.