Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Piscataway, NJ: $79.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Piscataway, NJ runs $79.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $164,372 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Piscataway's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $68.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $98,617 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Piscataway, New Jersey, the projected pharmacist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $79.02, significantly above the national median hourly rate of $68.99. This favorable compensation reflects the area's demand for skilled pharmacists across various settings, such as retail pharmacies, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty oncology clinics. For pharmacists seeking part-time positions, working three days a week would yield an estimated gross income of about $38,000 annually, while per-diem roles could bring a varying but potentially lucrative income depending on demand and shifts. Salary estimates indicate an hourly range from $53.37 for entry-level positions to as much as $100.53 for those reaching the top of the pay scale in Piscataway's evolving pharmacy landscape.
About the Piscataway 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) | $53.37 | $426.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70.23 | $561.86 |
| Median (P50) | $79.02 | $632.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92.80 | $742.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.53 | $804.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Piscataway
Based on $79.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.02/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Piscataway, NJ can expect to earn approximately $164,362 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,824. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Piscataway.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Piscataway
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,160.80 | $13,697 | $164,362 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,896.48 | $8,218 | $98,617 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,264.32 | $5,479 | $65,745 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Piscataway) | $79.02 |
| 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 Piscataway, NJ earn a median of $164,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.55% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.60% below the New Jersey state average of $165,364.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.02/hr = $98,617/year (purchasing power: $85,605).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $164,362/year (purchasing power: $142,675).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$70.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Piscataway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $70.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $74.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Piscataway grew 10.0% from $70.54/hr (2019) to $77.60/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.47/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 Piscataway 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 Piscataway
When considering the financial implications of per-diem work, the variability in hourly rates becomes apparent. Retail pharmacists exploring per diem opportunities may find themselves billing between $55 and $75 per hour, while those stepping into hospital roles might see rates between $60 and $85. At the upper echelon, specialty clinicians can command between $70 and $95 per hour. While some pharmacists opt for higher hourly rates without benefits, the trade-off often includes positions offering health insurance and consistent hours. In Piscataway, the types of employers—ranging from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to specialty pharmacies and hospital settings—create a diverse set of earning potential. As you consider your career trajectory, knowing the nuances of negotiation in this market can make a significant difference in maximizing your pharmacist hourly rate in NJ.
More salary data for Piscataway, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Piscataway. 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 Piscataway 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