Pharmacist Salary

South Brunswick vs Trenton: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

South Brunswick, NJ
$161,949
$77.86/hr
Trenton, NJ
$141,452
$68.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSouth Brunswick, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$161,949$141,452
Hourly Rate$77.86$68.01
Entry Level (P10)$114,257$112,308
25th Percentile$147,246$128,927
75th Percentile$178,806$160,403
Top Earner (P90)$201,589$167,490
Total Employed7310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing South Brunswick ($161,949) and Trenton ($141,452) pharmacist salaries.South BrunswickTrentonMedian Salary$161,949$141,452Entry Level (P10)$114,257$112,308Top Earner (P90)$201,589$167,490US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between South Brunswick and Trenton is $20,497 (14.49%). South Brunswick's median is +12.87% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in South Brunswick spans $87,332,Trenton spans $55,182. South Brunswick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

South Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$114,257
P25$147,246
Median$161,949
P75$178,806
P90 (Top)$201,589
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, South Brunswick ($140,581 effective) pays 2.54% more than Trenton ($137,092 effective).

South Brunswick
Nominal: $161,949
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $140,581
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 South Brunswick if…

  • Higher median salary ($161,949/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($201,589)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,581)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in South Brunswick grew 0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.7% growth in Trenton over the same period.

South Brunswick, NJ

+0.6%

$158,012 (2024) → $159,039 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+22.7%

$113,220 (2020) → $138,910 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: South Brunswick or Trenton?

South Brunswick has a higher median pharmacist salary at $161,949/year, compared to Trenton at $141,452/year — a difference of $20,497 (14.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between South Brunswick and Trenton?

South Brunswick pharmacists earn $77.86/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $68.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from South Brunswick to Trenton as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing South Brunswick and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: South Brunswick = $140,581, Trenton = $137,092), job availability (7 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in South Brunswick vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $114,257 in South Brunswick and $112,308 in Trenton. The South Brunswick 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