Pharmacist Salary in Long Branch, NJ: $161,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Long Branch, NJ earns a median $161,282/year (≈ $77.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Long Branch's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $140,002 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The pharmacist salary in Long Branch, NJ, is projected to reach a median of $161,282 in 2026, reflecting the broader impacts of post-2023 retail pharmacy consolidation. While salaries range from $112,680 at the lower end to $199,457 for the highest earners, these figures underscore significant local market variability. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost issues, highlight how compensation in Long Branch exceeds the national median of $143,489 by about 12.40%. This increased pay is likely a response to the evolving landscape in pharmacy care, where continued advancements have diversified roles beyond traditional retail, affecting local pay scales.
About the Long Branch Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,680 | $54.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $145,823 | $70.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,282 | $77.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,807 | $89.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,457 | $95.89 |
Median Salary Position
12.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Branch
In Long Branch, NJ, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,777 (2026 est.). At $161,282, the local median is 12.4% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Branch: You'd be above the median
How Long Branch Pharmacist Pay Compares
Long Branch median: $161,282/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Branch Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $165,248 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +12.40% more |
Pharmacists in Long Branch, NJ earn a median of $161,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.40% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.40% below the New Jersey state average of $165,248.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Branch has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Branch, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,282 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,002 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$143,974
2025 BLS Actual
$158,384
2026 Current Est.
$161,282
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Long Branch (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $143,974 | Actual |
| 2020 | $144,671 | Actual |
| 2021 | $144,514 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,212 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,899 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,361 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,234 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Branch metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $143,974 (2019) to $158,384 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,234 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,260 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Branch 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) | $112,680 – $145,823 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $145,823 – $161,282 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,282 – $186,807 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,807 – $199,457 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Long Branch
With just 8 pharmacists employed in the Long Branch area, the competition for positions can be limited, significantly impacting potential salaries. A higher cost-of-living index of 115.2 means that take-home purchasing power may be tighter than national averages. The most competitive employers include retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, but opportunities in hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialized roles in mail-order operations may provide higher wages. Variability in pay scales can be attributed to factors such as the type of pharmacy setting, board certifications (like BPS), and shift differentials, particularly for overnight or weekends. Pharmacists who pursue PGY-1 residencies or specialty certifications often enjoy higher salaries, as they bring valuable skills in a market that continues to shift towards clinical care. To maximize earnings, staying abreast of local job openings and pursuing advanced certifications can be advantageous in this evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Long Branch, 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 $158,384 for pharmacistsin the Long Branch 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 Long Branch 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