Pharmacist Hourly Pay in New Brunswick, NJ: $79.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in New Brunswick, NJ runs $79.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $165,930 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against New Brunswick's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,557 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacists in New Brunswick, NJ, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $79.77 in 2026, significantly exceeding the national median of $68.99 per hour. This competitive rate enhances the appeal for part-time pharmacists, particularly those working in settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty clean rooms. For pharmacists balancing three 8-hour shifts a week, the hourly compensation allows for a comfortable living, while the range extends from $55.09 for entry-level positions to $97.73 for those at the top of their field. Given the dynamic nature of pharmacy, opportunities abound across various environments, including mail-order fulfillment and ambulatory clinics, allowing for adaptability whether working as a full-time employee or on a per-diem basis.
About the New Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55.09 | $440.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71.81 | $574.48 |
| Median (P50) | $79.77 | $638.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.68 | $733.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.73 | $781.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Brunswick
Based on $79.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.77/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Brunswick, NJ can expect to earn approximately $165,929 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,728. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in New Brunswick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Brunswick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,190.94 | $13,827 | $165,929 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,914.57 | $8,296 | $99,557 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,276.38 | $5,531 | $66,372 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (New Brunswick) | $79.77 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in New Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $165,930 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.64% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $165,269.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.77/hr = $99,557/year (purchasing power: $86,421).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $165,929/year (purchasing power: $144,036).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$71.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in New Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $71.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $71.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in New Brunswick grew 10.0% from $71.21/hr (2019) to $78.34/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Brunswick metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in New Brunswick
Part-time pharmacists in New Brunswick can anticipate bringing home significantly different annual earnings compared to full-time practitioners. A typical part-time pharmacist working 24 hours weekly at $79.77/hr would earn around $62,775 annually, while full-timers could see earnings nearing $166,080. Per-diem pharmacist pay in New Brunswick varies widely, with retail pharmacists billing $55-$75/hr and hospital clinical pharmacists earning between $60-$85/hr. Specialty pharmacists, particularly in oncology or critical care, can command rates as high as $70-$95/hr. The hourly pay can vary by employer type as well, with retail chains often offering lower salaries due to the high volume of staffing, while hospitals and specialty pharmacies may provide better compensation along with benefits. Pharmacists need to be savvy negotiators, understanding their value and weighing the trade-offs between higher hourly pay without benefits and more stable income with health insurance from full-time roles.
More salary data for New Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in New Brunswick in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in New Brunswick. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for New Brunswick is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov