Pharmacist Salary in New Jersey: $149,505 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $149,505/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $129,779 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: East Orange ($164,568), Franklin ($164,568), Woodbridge ($164,522).
In New Jersey, the projected average median salary for pharmacists in 2026 is $149,505, which is significantly higher than the national median of $143,489, reflecting a 4.2% premium. The highest paying city is East Orange, where pharmacists can expect to earn $167,580, while the lowest paying city, Vineland, offers a salary of $136,503, highlighting a substantial gap of $31,077. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, demand for pharmacists, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. To practice in New Jersey, pharmacists must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws that can vary from other states. The state's diverse population and a growing emphasis on healthcare services contribute to a steady demand for pharmacists, supporting a projected annual growth rate of 1.83%. As of 2026, there are 1,603 pharmacists employed across the state, with East Orange, Franklin, Woodbridge, Parsippany-Troy Hills, and Union identified as the top five cities for salary potential. This job market offers promising opportunities for both new and experienced pharmacists seeking to establish or advance their careers.
New Jersey Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $63,756 (lowest entry-level) to $217,047 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey pharmacists earn 4.19% more than the national median (+$6,016/year difference).
New Jersey Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in New Jersey range from $98,984 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $183,061 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $149,505. The New Jersey median is $6,016 above the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $71.88/hr. Approximately 1,603 pharmacists are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$123,334
2025 BLS Actual
$146,818
2026 Current Est.
$149,505
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,334 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,414 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,059 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,951 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,414 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,908 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,818 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,505 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,241 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 19.0% from $123,334 (2019) to $146,818 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,241 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,907 (23.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Vineland | $136,503 |
| Atlantic City | $137,358 |
| Trenton | $141,452 |
| Newark | $144,119 |
| Princeton | $144,265 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Orange | $167,580 | 115.2 | $145,469 |
| Franklin | $167,580 | 115.2 | $145,469 |
| Woodbridge | $167,533 | 115.2 | $145,428 |
| Parsippany-Troy Hills | $167,291 | 115.2 | $145,218 |
| Union | $166,873 | 115.2 | $144,855 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $98,984 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $149,505 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $183,061 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Orange | $167,580 |
| 2 | Franklin | $167,580 |
| 3 | Woodbridge | $167,533 |
| 4 | Parsippany-Troy Hills | $167,291 |
| 5 | Union | $166,873 |
| 6 | Elizabeth | $166,812 |
| 7 | Brick | $166,467 |
| 8 | Gloucester Township | $165,995 |
| 9 | New Brunswick | $165,930 |
| 10 | Howell | $165,380 |
| 11 | Paterson | $165,181 |
| 12 | Plainfield | $164,987 |
| 13 | Irvington | $164,739 |
| 14 | West New York | $164,490 |
| 15 | Piscataway | $164,372 |
| 16 | Jackson | $164,280 |
| 17 | Lakewood | $164,006 |
| 18 | West Orange | $163,912 |
| 19 | Montclair | $163,668 |
| 20 | Washington Township | $163,412 |
| 21 | Old Bridge | $163,351 |
| 22 | Edison | $163,098 |
| 23 | Union City | $163,024 |
| 24 | Toms River | $162,972 |
| 25 | Bridgewater | $162,783 |
| 26 | Middletown | $162,736 |
| 27 | Clifton | $162,239 |
| 28 | South Brunswick | $161,949 |
| 29 | Berkeley | $161,936 |
| 30 | Perth Amboy | $161,911 |
| 31 | Wayne | $161,859 |
| 32 | Linden | $161,834 |
| 33 | Passaic | $161,794 |
| 34 | East Brunswick | $161,731 |
| 35 | Bloomfield | $161,387 |
| 36 | Long Branch | $161,282 |
| 37 | Westfield | $160,833 |
| 38 | Hamilton | $160,667 |
| 39 | Sayreville | $160,615 |
| 40 | Cherry Hill | $160,589 |
| 41 | North Bergen | $160,301 |
| 42 | Hoboken | $160,156 |
| 43 | Kearny | $159,910 |
| 44 | Manalapan | $159,769 |
| 45 | Bayonne | $159,607 |
| 46 | Manchester | $159,243 |
| 47 | Moorestown | $158,619 |
| 48 | Hackensack | $158,614 |
| 49 | Marlboro | $157,794 |
| 50 | Mount Laurel | $157,678 |
| 51 | Egg Harbor | $157,293 |
| 52 | Evesham | $157,063 |
| 53 | Rahway | $156,369 |
| 54 | Summit | $154,044 |
| 55 | Camden | $147,845 |
| 56 | Jersey City | $146,376 |
| 57 | Princeton | $144,265 |
| 58 | Newark | $144,119 |
| 59 | Trenton | $141,452 |
| 60 | Atlantic City | $137,358 |
| 61 | Vineland | $136,503 |
More New Jersey Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacists.
Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in New Jersey in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in New Jersey?
How does New Jersey pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
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How many pharmacists are employed in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey city offers the best value for pharmacists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacist compensation across New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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