Pharmacist Salary

Atlantic City vs Newark: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Newark, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$137,358
$66.04/hr
Newark, NJ
$144,119
$69.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJNewark, NJ
Median Salary$137,358$144,119
Hourly Rate$66.04$69.29
Entry Level (P10)$63,756$92,051
25th Percentile$126,809$132,938
75th Percentile$157,378$172,895
Top Earner (P90)$165,240$191,599
Total Employed37061
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($137,358) and Newark ($144,119) pharmacist salaries.Atlantic CityNewarkMedian Salary$137,358$144,119Entry Level (P10)$63,756$92,051Top Earner (P90)$165,240$191,599US Median $143,489

Verdict

Newark, NJ offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Newark is $6,761 (4.92%). Newark's median is +0.44% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $101,484,Newark spans $99,548. Atlantic City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$63,756
P25$126,809
Median$137,358
P75$157,378
P90 (Top)$165,240
Newark
P10 (Entry)$92,051
P25$132,938
Median$144,119
P75$172,895
P90 (Top)$191,599

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($138,946 effective) pays 11.07% more than Newark ($125,103 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $137,358
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $138,946
Newark
Nominal: $144,119
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $125,103

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $138,946)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Newark if…

  • Higher median salary ($144,119/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($191,599)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Atlantic City grew 11.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -16.5% growth in Newark over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+11.4%

$121,120 (2019) → $134,890 (2025)

Newark, NJ

+-16.5%

$169,595 (2024) → $141,529 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Atlantic City or Newark?

Newark has a higher median pharmacist salary at $144,119/year, compared to Atlantic City at $137,358/year — a difference of $6,761 (4.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Newark?

Atlantic City pharmacists earn $66.04/hr while Newark hygienists earn $69.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Newark as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Newark. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $138,946, Newark = $125,103), job availability (370 vs 61 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Atlantic City vs Newark?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $63,756 in Atlantic City and $92,051 in Newark. The Newark area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD

Career Analyst

Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Patel, PharmDData verified by Amina Al-Sayed, PharmD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov