Pharmacist Salary in Elizabeth, NJ: $166,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Elizabeth, NJ earns a median $166,812/year (≈ $80.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Elizabeth's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $144,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Elizabeth, NJ, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $166,812, surpassing the national median of $143,489 by approximately 16.25%. This reflects local estimates drawn from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional costs of living. With salaries ranging from $121,485 at the lower end (P10) to $214,642 at the high end (P90), the potential for financial success in this profession is evident. Salaries can vary significantly depending on factors such as whether the position requires residency training, particularly for those pursuing roles in hospital or specialty settings, which tend to offer higher compensation compared to retail positions. In Elizabeth's job market, the demand for qualified pharmacists remains robust, highlighting the profession's stability within a shifting healthcare landscape.
About the Elizabeth Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $121,485 | $58.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $155,657 | $74.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,812 | $80.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $196,770 | $94.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,642 | $103.19 |
Median Salary Position
16.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabeth
In Elizabeth, NJ, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,157 (2026 est.). At $166,812, the local median is 16.25% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elizabeth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabeth Pharmacist Pay Compares
Elizabeth median: $166,812/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabeth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $165,324 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +16.25% more |
Pharmacists in Elizabeth, NJ earn a median of $166,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.90% above the New Jersey state average of $165,324.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabeth has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabeth, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $166,812 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,802 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$148,910
2025 BLS Actual
$163,814
2026 Current Est.
$166,812
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Elizabeth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $148,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $149,631 | Actual |
| 2021 | $149,468 | Actual |
| 2022 | $154,328 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,756 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,814 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabeth metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $148,910 (2019) to $163,814 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,954 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabeth 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) | $121,485 – $155,657 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $155,657 – $166,812 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,812 – $196,770 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $196,770 – $214,642 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Elizabeth
Regarding the local employment landscape, Elizabeth has about 25 pharmacists currently employed, indicating a focused yet competitive market. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, professionals may find their purchasing power impacted, underscoring the importance of salary negotiation strategies and the selection of employers. Retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offer competitive pay, but those willing to work in hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty pharmacies may find higher remuneration opportunities. Factors contributing to salary disparities include board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the residual effects of recent retail chain consolidations. To optimize earnings in this area, aspiring pharmacists should consider pursuing additional certifications, such as those from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS), and explore roles that leverage advanced training, such as PGY-1 residencies, which can further enhance their marketability and earning potential in Elizabeth, NJ.
More salary data for Elizabeth, 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 $163,814 for pharmacistsin the Elizabeth 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
Salary data for Elizabeth 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