Union County, NJ Civil Service Jobs & Employers
Local civil service jurisdictions in Union County, New Jersey.
Union County has 23 confirmed local civil service jurisdictions, starting with Union County government itself. Alongside the county, 22 local employers in the county participate in New Jersey's civil service system: 9 municipalities, 9 public libraries, 2 housing authorities, and 2 boards of health.
Every employer listed below hires through the same civil service process the state uses: you take a competitive exam for the title you want, your score places you on an eligibility list, and the employer appoints from the top of that list. The underlying job specifications — duties, minimum qualifications, and salary ranges — are the same statewide titles used across New Jersey, so a title you qualify for in Union County is the same title you would find in any other civil service jurisdiction.
To find a local government job in Union County, start by identifying the title you qualify for, watch for the exam announcement, and apply during the open filing period. Some non-competitive and unclassified local titles are filled without an exam, but most competitive positions require passing the test and being reachable on the list.
Pay and staffing across Union County
18 of Union County's civil service jurisdictions report pension membership. The midpoint reports a median pensionable salary of $72,942, and the spread inside one county is wide: Hillside Township reports $101,448 against $48,576 at Elizabeth Library, a factor of 2.1. Local government pay is set by ordinance rather than a State salary schedule, which is why neighbouring towns diverge this far.
| Jurisdiction | Enrolled members | Median pensionable salary | Median service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillside Township | 159 | $101,448 | 11.3 yrs |
| Union Township | 462 | $95,821 | 11.5 yrs |
| Roselle Borough | 159 | $94,280 | 10.8 yrs |
| Clark Township | 102 | $85,508 | 13.4 yrs |
| Linden | 493 | $84,489 | 10.3 yrs |
| Elizabeth | 1,239 | $84,312 | 10.3 yrs |
| Scotch Plains | 117 | $80,445 | 10.9 yrs |
| Union County | 1,259 | $76,742 | 10.8 yrs |
| Plainfield | 507 | $74,951 | 8.5 yrs |
| Rahway | 274 | $70,932 | 8.7 yrs |
| Union Township Library | 18 | $60,557 | 9.3 yrs |
| Hillside Library | 7 | $57,675 | 19.3 yrs |
| Plainfield Housing Authority | 17 | $56,666 | 5.7 yrs |
| Rahway Library | 11 | $55,820 | 20.7 yrs |
| Linden Library | 16 | $53,231 | 7.2 yrs |
| Roselle Library | 6 | $52,428 | 18.2 yrs |
| Elizabeth Housing Authority | 65 | $50,864 | 6.4 yrs |
| Elizabeth Library | 36 | $48,576 | 6.1 yrs |
These figures are pensionable salary reported to the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits for the four most recent quarters, not total pay and not take-home pay. Snapshot of March 31, 2026. How we compile this.
Civil service employers in Union County
County Government (1)
Municipalitys (9)
Public Librarys (9)
Housing Authoritys (2)
Board of Healths (2)
Frequently asked questions
Is Union County a civil service jurisdiction?
Yes. Union County government is a confirmed New Jersey Title 11A civil service jurisdiction, along with 22 other local employers in the county. They hire through competitive exams and eligibility lists.
Which employers in Union County use civil service?
23 confirmed local civil service jurisdictions are listed for Union County, including 9 municipalities, 9 public libraries, 2 housing authorities, and 2 boards of health. Each is listed on this page with a link to its profile.
How do I get a local government job in Union County?
Find the civil service title you qualify for, watch for its exam announcement, and apply during the open filing period. Passing the exam places you on an eligibility list; the employer appoints from the top of that list. The same statewide job specifications and salary ranges apply across every civil service jurisdiction.
What if my Union County town isn't listed here?
The CSC listing is complete, so a Union County municipality that does not appear is not currently a Title 11A civil service jurisdiction. It hires under its own personnel rules. You can confirm any specific employer with the civil service status lookup.
What does a civil service job in Union County pay?
Across the 18 civil service jurisdictions in Union County that report pension membership, the midpoint median pensionable salary is $70,932, ranging from $48,576 to $101,448. These figures are pensionable salary reported to the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits for the four most recent quarters, not total pay and not take-home pay.
How many public employees are in Union County?
21,717 active pension memberships are reported at employers located in Union County. That covers every public employer there, not only civil service jurisdictions, so it includes school districts, colleges and authorities alongside towns.
Next steps
- Learn how the NJ civil service exam works and how to apply.
- Understand how eligibility lists turn into job offers.
- See how local government civil service works across New Jersey.
- Browse the full civil service employer directory for every county.
- Read: Is your town civil service? A directory of NJ's 428 local jurisdictions.