Salaries in Lakewood CDP, NJ

Here’s the thing about Lakewood: you might not guess it’s a town where a software developer earns $132,000, but the median household income sits at just over $70,000. That gap tells you a lot about the local economy. It’s a place with a few high-flyers and a lot of people working hard to keep up.

And keeping up is the real challenge. With a cost of living index of 112.5, you’re paying 12.5% more than the national average for groceries, utilities, and rent. That $1,743 monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment eats up a big chunk of that median income. The COL-adjusted salary numbers reveal the squeeze—what looks like an $89,000 accounting salary actually has the purchasing power of $79,000. It’s not a cheap place to live, and the wages for most professions don’t fully insulate you from that.

So who’s actually thriving here? The data points to a sharp divide. Tech workers and certain licensed professionals—like accountants and nurses—do well, with salaries that, while not Silicon Valley-level, hold their own against the local cost. The broader economy, however, leans on education and healthcare. You’ve got large employers like the Lakewood Board of Education and a significant medical community, which helps explain why teaching and nursing are such visible careers. A surprising number of people also commute to New York City for finance and tech jobs, using Lakewood as a more affordable home base.

Here’s my honest take: Lakewood is a tough sell for anyone expecting their salary to stretch far. Wages for the average job, which is about $56,900, haven’t kept pace with the rising cost of living over the past few years. It works best for dual-income households or those in the top-paying fields. For everyone else, it’s a constant balancing act.

The numbers below will break down the top-paying jobs, the real-world take-home pay after that cost-of-living adjustment, and what you need to earn to feel comfortable here in 2026.