Pharmacist Salary in Union City, NJ: $163,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Union City, NJ earns a median $163,024/year (≈ $78.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Union City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $141,514 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Union City, NJ, can expect a robust median annual salary of $163,024, reflecting a substantial market compared to the national median of $143,489. The salary range is quite diverse, spanning from $120,996 at the lower end (P10) to $204,690 for the highest earners (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight the structural divide within the profession. Hospital clinical specialists typically command higher salaries than retail pharmacy managers, who themselves earn more than staff pharmacists. This tiered compensation system emphasizes the variations in responsibilities and required qualifications, suggesting that Union City's job market offers significant potential for those in advanced roles.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $120,996 | $58.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $153,057 | $73.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,024 | $78.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $189,828 | $91.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,690 | $98.41 |
Median Salary Position
13.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, NJ, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,694 (2026 est.). At $163,024, the local median is 13.61% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be above the median
How Union City Pharmacist Pay Compares
Union City median: $163,024/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $165,338 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +13.61% more |
Pharmacists in Union City, NJ earn a median of $163,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $165,338.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,024 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $141,514 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$145,529
2025 BLS Actual
$160,094
2026 Current Est.
$163,024
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $145,529 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,233 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,074 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,823 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,094 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,007 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $145,529 (2019) to $160,094 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,007 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,478 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union 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) | $120,996 – $153,057 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $153,057 – $163,024 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,024 – $189,828 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $189,828 – $204,690 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Union City
With 17 pharmacists currently employed in the area and a cost-of-living index at 115.2, the financial picture for pharmacist pay in Union City, NJ, is influenced by various contextual factors. The earnings potential varies considerably depending on the setting; inpatient hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacies like Accredo generally offer higher salaries compared to big retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens. This difference is often driven by factors like board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight shifts, and the increasing premium placed on residency-trained professionals, especially as the market undergoes consolidation. For pharmacists aspiring to maximize their pay, pursuing board certifications from organizations like BPS and considering roles in hospitals or specialty pharmacies may be advantageous strategies in this competitive local landscape.
More salary data for Union 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 $160,094 for pharmacistsin the Union 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
Salary data for Union City 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