Salaries in Camden, NJ

Camden’s salary story is a tale of two cities. On one hand, you’ve got a cost of living that’s just 3.5% above the national average. On the other, the median household income is a shockingly low $35,129. That gap tells you almost everything you need to know about the economic reality here.

So what does that COL index actually mean for your wallet? A 1BR apartment runs about $1,451 a month. To make that math work comfortably, you’re looking at a salary well above the city’s median. The COL adjustment on the top-paying jobs shows the math: a software developer’s $128,596 salary feels more like $124,247 once you account for Camden’s specific costs. It’s not a budget-busting city, but it’s no bargain either when you pair it with those low local wages.

Camden’s economy is anchored by a few heavy hitters. The Rutgers University-Camden campus, Cooper University Health Care, and the Subaru headquarters are the big employers. They’re the reason you see pharmacist and software developer salaries at the top of the list. The city’s 4.2% unemployment rate is actually better than the national average in 2026, but that’s partly because so many people work elsewhere in the region.

Here’s the honest catch: wages are not keeping up with the cost of living for the typical resident. With only 12.4% of the population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, the high-paying professional jobs are out of reach for most. This city works financially if you land one of those top-tier roles or if you’re commuting to a higher-paying job in Philly.

The data below will show you exactly where the financial tight spots are and where the opportunities lie.