Find a Job You Really Want In
Are you considering a job search in New Jersey in 2026? Understanding the job market landscape is crucial as you navigate your career options. Different regions within the state offer varying employment opportunities, and knowing where to look can significantly impact your job hunt.
At Zippia, we meticulously analyzed the latest employment data to identify the cities in New Jersey that currently boast the most promising job markets.
Below, we present the ten hottest job markets in New Jersey for 2026.
The 10 Hottest Job Markets In New Jersey
This list highlights the top ten cities where job seekers are likely to find the most opportunities in New Jersey. If your city isn’t listed, don’t worry—keep reading to discover where it ranks on the complete list.
How We Determined the Best Job Markets in New Jersey
Utilizing the most recent data from the Census American Community Survey, we focused on major metropolitan areas in New Jersey with a civilian workforce exceeding 5,000.
While the unemployment rate is a key indicator of a local job market’s health, it is only one piece of a complex puzzle. To provide a comprehensive analysis, we evaluated several factors influencing job availability.
Each metro area was ranked from 1 to 110 across four categories:
- Unemployment Rate
- Change in Unemployment Rate
- Household Income Change
- Current Average Household Income
A lower score in each category indicates a stronger job market. For instance, East Rutherford had the lowest unemployment rate at 1.9%, securing its position as the top-ranked area for job seekers. The rankings across the four categories were averaged to create our final list of job markets.
1. Hillsdale
Unemployment Rate: 2.91%
Average Income: $155,656
2. Princeton
Unemployment Rate: 3.25%
Average Income: $229,201
3. Westwood
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%
Average Income: $128,571
4. Ramsey
Unemployment Rate: 3.43%
Average Income: $184,437
5. Morristown
Unemployment Rate: 3.77%
Average Income: $127,442
6. Haddonfield
Unemployment Rate: 2.46%
Average Income: $197,495
7. Hoboken
Unemployment Rate: 3.41%
Average Income: $179,824
8. Franklin Lakes
Unemployment Rate: 4.99%
Average Income: $229,048
9. Westfield
Unemployment Rate: 3.32%
Average Income: $229,932
10. Florham Park
Unemployment Rate: 3.84%
Average Income: $170,541
Measuring the Best Job Markets in New Jersey
If you’re living in East Rutherford and facing challenges in your job search, you’re not alone. While it may have reported the lowest unemployment rate, individual circumstances such as skills, education, and experience can heavily influence job prospects. However, overall, job seekers in East Rutherford are likely to find more opportunities compared to those in less favorable areas.
Detailed List of the Hottest Job Markets in New Jersey
| Rank | Place | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsdale | 2.91% |
| 2 | Princeton | 3.25% |
| 3 | Westwood | 2.0% |
| 4 | Ramsey | 3.43% |
| 5 | Morristown | 3.77% |
| 6 | Haddonfield | 2.46% |
| 7 | Hoboken | 3.41% |
| 8 | Franklin Lakes | 4.99% |
| 9 | Westfield | 3.32% |
| 10 | Florham Park | 3.84% |
| 11 | New Providence | 4.6% |
| 12 | Madison | 3.78% |
| 13 | Fair Lawn | 3.99% |
| 14 | Paramus | 4.27% |
| 15 | Summit | 5.48% |
| 16 | Metuchen | 3.93% |
| 17 | Dumont | 5.46% |
| 18 | Wallington | 3.73% |
| 19 | New Milford | 6.0% |
| 20 | Ridgefield Park Village | 4.05% |
| 21 | Tenafly | 3.21% |
| 22 | River Edge | 2.97% |
| 23 | Highland Park | 5.74% |
| 24 | Wanaque | 4.79% |
| 25 | Ridgewood Village | 4.12% |
| 26 | Hasbrouck Heights | 2.7% |
| 27 | Totowa | 3.68% |
| 28 | Bound Brook | 2.84% |
| 29 | Bergenfield | 3.57% |
| 30 | Rutherford | 6.15% |
| 31 | Waldwick | 2.74% |
| 32 | Maywood | 5.13% |
| 33 | Ringwood | 4.42% |
| 34 | Red Bank | 5.12% |
| 35 | Tinton Falls | 3.01% |
| 36 | Somerville | 4.94% |
| 37 | Middlesex | 3.5% |
| 38 | Dover | 5.08% |
| 39 | Point Pleasant | 5.3% |
| 40 | Cliffside Park | 3.62% |
| 41 | Collingswood | 6.03% |
| 42 | Edgewater | 4.2% |
| 43 | Lincoln Park | 4.19% |
| 44 | Hawthorne | 3.87% |
| 45 | Oakland | 4.31% |
| 46 | Audubon | 5.4% |
| 47 | Hammonton | 6.56% |
| 48 | Pompton Lakes | 4.14% |
| 49 | Englewood | 7.01% |
| 50 | Secaucus | 4.31% |
| 51 | Somers Point | 7.22% |
| 52 | Rahway | 5.59% |
| 53 | Palisades Park | 3.98% |
| 54 | Perth Amboy | 3.44% |
| 55 | Jersey | 6.69% |
| 56 | Fort Lee | 4.05% |
| 57 | Glen Rock | 3.47% |
| 58 | Eatontown | 4.97% |
| 59 | East Rutherford | 1.92% |
| 60 | North Plainfield | 5.72% |
| 61 | Asbury Park | 10.3% |
| 62 | Bayonne | 6.24% |
| 63 | North Arlington | 4.4% |
| 64 | Hackensack | 4.43% |
| 65 | Freehold | 5.01% |
| 66 | Elmwood Park | 4.68% |
| 67 | South Plainfield | 6.61% |
| 68 | Gloucester | 6.61% |
| 69 | Beachwood | 6.64% |
| 70 | Bellmawr | 7.57% |
| 71 | Guttenberg | 7.92% |
| 72 | Lodi | 6.36% |
| 73 | Woodland Park | 4.31% |
| 74 | Passaic | 5.69% |
| 75 | Elizabeth | 7.28% |
| 76 | Glassboro | 9.75% |
| 77 | Roselle Park | 5.56% |
| 78 | Plainfield | 7.05% |
| 79 | Sayreville | 5.79% |
| 80 | Kearny | 5.62% |
| 81 | Garfield | 4.56% |
| 82 | Kinnelon | 5.89% |
| 83 | Harrison | 6.07% |
| 84 | South River | 8.73% |
| 85 | Clifton | 4.56% |
| 86 | Pleasantville | 10.01% |
| 87 | Manville | 4.37% |
| 88 | Millville | 9.84% |
| 89 | East Orange | 15.31% |
| 90 | Paterson | 5.14% |
| 91 | Ridgefield | 5.02% |
| 92 | Newark | 12.77% |
| 93 | Roselle | 10.06% |
| 94 | Vineland | 6.51% |
| 95 | Trenton | 12.35% |
| 96 | Camden | 12.59% |
| 97 | Hopatcong | 5.91% |
| 98 | Long Branch | 7.34% |
| 99 | Union | 5.03% |
| 100 | Pine Hill | 7.99% |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
