Pharmacist Salary

Jersey City vs Trenton: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Jersey City, NJ
$146,376
$70.37/hr
Trenton, NJ
$141,452
$68.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJersey City, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$146,376$141,452
Hourly Rate$70.37$68.01
Entry Level (P10)$96,419$112,308
25th Percentile$129,137$128,927
75th Percentile$169,425$160,403
Top Earner (P90)$184,050$167,490
Total Employed42310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jersey City ($146,376) and Trenton ($141,452) pharmacist salaries.Jersey CityTrentonMedian Salary$146,376$141,452Entry Level (P10)$96,419$112,308Top Earner (P90)$184,050$167,490US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Jersey City and Trenton is $4,924 (3.48%). Jersey City's median is +2.01% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jersey City spans $87,631,Trenton spans $55,182. Jersey City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$96,419
P25$129,137
Median$146,376
P75$169,425
P90 (Top)$184,050
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$112,308
P25$128,927
Median$141,452
P75$160,403
P90 (Top)$167,490

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($137,092 effective) pays 7.89% more than Jersey City ($127,063 effective).

Jersey City
Nominal: $146,376
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $127,063
Trenton
Nominal: $141,452
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $137,092

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Higher median salary ($146,376/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($184,050)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $137,092)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Jersey City grew -14.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.7% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Jersey City, NJ

+-14.9%

$168,969 (2024) → $143,745 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+22.7%

$113,220 (2020) → $138,910 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Jersey City or Trenton?

Jersey City has a higher median pharmacist salary at $146,376/year, compared to Trenton at $141,452/year — a difference of $4,924 (3.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jersey City and Trenton?

Jersey City pharmacists earn $70.37/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $68.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jersey City to Trenton as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jersey City and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jersey City = $127,063, Trenton = $137,092), job availability (42 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Jersey City vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $96,419 in Jersey City and $112,308 in Trenton. The Trenton 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