Pharmacist Salary in Atlantic City, NJ: $137,358 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Atlantic City, NJ earns a median $137,358/year (≈ $66.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Atlantic City's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.9), that paycheck buys what $138,946 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Atlantic City, NJ, is projected to reach a median annual compensation of $137,358, presenting a competitive pay scale when compared to the national average of $143,489. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level pharmacists (P10) earning around $63,756 and those in more advanced positions (P90) potentially making as much as $165,240. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the distinct structural divide within the profession. Hospital clinical specialists tend to command the highest salaries, followed by retail pharmacy managers and staff pharmacists who generally receive lower compensation. The current dynamics in Atlantic City's job market suggest a steady demand for pharmacists, which could bolster opportunities in diverse settings such as retail chains, hospitals, and specialty pharmacies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,756 | $30.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,809 | $60.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,358 | $66.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,378 | $75.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,240 | $79.44 |
Median Salary Position
4.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlantic City
In Atlantic City, NJ, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,484 (2026 est.). At $137,358, the local median is 4.27% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlantic City: You'd be above the median
How Atlantic City Pharmacist Pay Compares
Atlantic City median: $137,358/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlantic City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $165,293 | -16.90% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -4.27% less |
Pharmacists in Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $137,358 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.27% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 16.90% below the New Jersey state average of $165,293.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlantic City has a cost of living 1.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlantic City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 98.857 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $137,358 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,946 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,120
2025 BLS Actual
$134,890
2026 Current Est.
$137,358
2019–2027 Growth
+15.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,358 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,872 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlantic City metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 11.4% from $121,120 (2019) to $134,890 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,872 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,752 (15.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlantic City 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $63,756 – $126,809 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,809 – $137,358 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,358 – $157,378 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,378 – $165,240 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Atlantic City
With approximately 370 pharmacists employed in the Atlantic City area, the local job market remains robust, despite the cost of living index being slightly below the national average at 98.857. This means that while salaries are competitive, the take-home purchasing power may be affected by local expenses. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, where roles require advanced board certifications like BPS or positions related to PGY-1 residencies. This salary spread is influenced by factors like shift differentials in retail, board certification stipends, and the ongoing consolidation within the retail pharmacy market, which has prompted layoffs in some chains. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, pharmacists should consider pursuing additional certifications, exploring roles in expanding sectors, and assessing the unique benefits of each employer, strategically positioning themselves to capitalize on the evolving landscape of pharmacy practice in Atlantic City.
More salary data for Atlantic City, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $134,890 for pharmacistsin the Atlantic City metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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