Pharmacist Salary in Passaic, NJ: $161,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Passaic, NJ earns a median $161,794/year (≈ $77.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Passaic's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $140,446 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Passaic, NJ, can anticipate a median annual salary of $161,794, reflecting a significant adjustment in local compensation driven by the recent consolidation within retail pharmacy chains. The salary range is projected to extend from $118,137 at the 10th percentile to $206,614 at the 90th percentile, indicating a spectrum of opportunities based on experience and role. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, underscore how dynamic market factors are influencing pharmacist pay in Passaic. As the local job market adapts to these changes, compensation packages are likely to remain competitive, especially for those with specialized certifications or residency training.
About the Passaic Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $118,137 | $56.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $150,442 | $72.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,794 | $77.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,477 | $91.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,614 | $99.34 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Passaic
In Passaic, NJ, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,477 (2026 est.). At $161,794, the local median is 12.76% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Passaic: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Passaic Pharmacist Pay Compares
Passaic median: $161,794/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Passaic Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $165,264 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +12.76% more |
Pharmacists in Passaic, NJ earn a median of $161,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $165,264.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Passaic has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Passaic, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,794 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,446 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$144,431
2025 BLS Actual
$158,886
2026 Current Est.
$161,794
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Passaic (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,431 | Actual |
| 2020 | $145,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $144,972 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,685 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,383 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,886 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Passaic metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $144,431 (2019) to $158,886 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,323 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Passaic 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) | $118,137 – $150,442 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $150,442 – $161,794 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,794 – $190,477 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,477 – $206,614 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Passaic
The competitive landscape of pharmacist pay in Passaic is shaped by the presence of approximately 18 pharmacists currently employed in the area, combined with a cost-of-living index of 115.2, above the national average. With local chains like CVS and Walgreens adjusting their workforce, opportunities in specialty and hospital pharmacy settings are expanding; roles in inpatient pharmacies and managed care are particularly lucrative. The disparity in salaries reflects various factors including board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the impact of retail workforce restructuring. For pharmacists aiming to optimize their salaries in this market, pursuing additional certifications, such as those from BPS or ASHP, and seeking positions that leverage new skills in areas like ambulatory care may lead to enhanced pay prospects. Understanding these nuances can offer a critical edge in navigating the evolving pharmacy landscape in Passaic.
More salary data for Passaic, 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 $158,886 for pharmacistsin the Passaic 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 Passaic 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