Who Makes What?

For Love and Money
We asked more than a dozen people from all walks of life what they like (and dislike) about working in New Jersey. Here’s what they said.
By Lois Levine
photos by christopher lane

According to the U.S. Census’s most recent available data, the median household income for the state of New Jersey in 2005 was $61,672—not too shabby when you consider that New York was at $49,480, California clocked in at $53,629, and Florida tallied $42,433 (understandably, considering it’s a Northeast retirement mecca).

It’s hardly news that we have more than our share of residents at the top of the financial food chain. But here’s the $61,672 question: How are the rest of us doing? What are we making? Do we like what we’re doing, and where do we want to be five years from now? We got answers from a wide range of people, including a tattoo artist, a psychologist, a toll collector, and a federal prosecutor, among others.

Even with our reputation for brashness, New Jerseyans don’t necessarily like to talk about how much they make. Some were forthcoming. Others got cold feet. (Well, yeah, the boss could be reading this). But no matter which job puts bread on the table, nearly everyone seems to enjoy at least some aspect of what they do and nearly everyone has specific ideas of where they want to be in five years.

So go ahead, take a gander at our gallery and peruse our piquant potpourri of pecuniary statistics—and see where, or if, you really fit in here.

Name and occupation: Mario Barth, tattoo artist (clients include Lenny Kravitz, Jason Kidd)
Age: 40
> Location: Flagship store, Rochelle Park
Why this job: This job chose me a long time ago. I just picked up the tools and had a natural talent for it.
Length of time on the job: Professionally, since 1989, seven days a week.
Starting salary: Nothing. I did it as a favor to friends, which led to a chain of events.
Current salary: Low seven figures.
Best things about the gig: Designing new tattoos for my clients. And now the ability to give back: We host fundraisers for local charities and a charity I started, Starlights Starting Over, which helps former gang members get a new life by removing their gang symbol tattoos in exchange for community service.
Worst things about the gig: That there are not enough days in the week.
Target salary in five years: As long as it keeps a steady uptrend, I am perfectly fine—I do not like to limit myself.
Five-year objective: Open in foreign countries and raise $1 million for CureSearch and the Childhood Cancer Foundation. And spend more time with my wife and son.