Trenton-Princeton, NJ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

High School Teacher Salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

In the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metropolitan area, high school teachers earned a median annual wage of $78,000 ($37.50/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $59,800/year and the 90th was $102,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Jersey tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $60,924 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$78,000$37.50 per hour · $6,500 monthly
10th Percentile$59,800$28.75/hr base
25th Percentile$71,900$34.57/hr base
75th Percentile$97,100$46.68/hr base
90th Percentile$102,600$49.33/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$78,000
$30,000$160,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$78,000
Net 78%
Fed 11%
NJ 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$60,924After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,077Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,343Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,330 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$2,779 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,967 / yr

Secondary School Teachers Wage Percentiles in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Secondary School Teachers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NJ)
10th Percentile$28.75/hr$4,983$59,800$48,473
25th Percentile$34.57/hr$5,992$71,900$56,987
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$37.50/hr$6,500$78,000$60,924
75th Percentile$46.68/hr$8,092$97,100$73,145
90th Percentile$49.33/hr$8,550$102,600$76,663

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$78,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$100,645Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.23.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio77.5%of area median income

Compare high school teachers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Jersey:

Frequently Asked Questions About Secondary School Teachers Pay in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

What is the median salary for high school teachers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

The official BLS median annual wage for high school teachers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $78,000, which equates to approximately $6,500 per month or $37.50 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for high school teachers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

The median hourly wage for high school teachers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $37.50 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $28.75/hour and one in ten earned more than $49.33/hour.

What is the pay range for high school teachers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

BLS wage estimates for high school teachers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ span from $59,800 at the 10th percentile to $71,900 at the 25th, $97,100 at the 75th, and $102,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do high school teachers take home after taxes in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

On a median gross salary of $78,000, an estimated $60,924 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,343 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $17,076 (an effective rate of 21.9%).

How much do high school teachers make per month in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

On the median annual salary of $78,000, gross monthly income is $6,500. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $5,077 per month (or $2,343 every two weeks).

Is $78,000 a good salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

At $78,000, the median salary for high school teachers is 77.5% of the Trenton-Princeton, NJ median household income ($100,645). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.2, making regional consumer goods and services 3.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.