Pharmacist Salary in Union, NJ: $166,873 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Union, NJ earns a median $166,873/year (≈ $80.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Union's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $144,855 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union, New Jersey, the projected pharmacist salary for 2026 shows a median of $166,873, which is notably higher than the national median of $143,489. The salary range for pharmacists in Union varies significantly, with lower earners starting at approximately $116,099 and top earners reaching around $200,686. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities. The compensation reflects the competitive nature of the pharmacist job market in Union, particularly as the demand for residency-trained professionals rises within hospital and specialty roles.
About the Union Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $116,099 | $55.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $151,368 | $72.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,873 | $80.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $189,008 | $90.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,686 | $96.48 |
Median Salary Position
16.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union
In Union, NJ, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,587 (2026 est.). At $166,873, the local median is 16.3% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union: You'd be above the median
How Union Pharmacist Pay Compares
Union median: $166,873/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $165,221 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +16.30% more |
Pharmacists in Union, NJ earn a median of $166,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.30% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.00% above the New Jersey state average of $165,221.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $166,873 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,855 — a 13.19% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$148,965
2025 BLS Actual
$163,874
2026 Current Est.
$166,873
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Union (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $148,965 | Actual |
| 2020 | $149,686 | Actual |
| 2021 | $149,523 | Actual |
| 2022 | $154,384 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,199 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,816 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,874 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,873 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $148,965 (2019) to $163,874 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,962 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union 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) | $116,099 – $151,368 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $151,368 – $166,873 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,873 – $189,008 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $189,008 – $200,686 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Union
The local job market for pharmacists in Union currently employs around 15 professionals, a modest figure that speaks to the area's need for pharmacy services amid a relatively higher cost of living index of 115.2. This index suggests that take-home pay may be stretched compared to national averages, influencing the financial decisions of local pharmacists. Among various employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, such as those providing mail-order services, often offer the highest compensation. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include board certification stipends, shift differentials for night shifts, and the increased value placed on those with residency training. Given the changing landscape, with retail pharmacy outlets contracting, pharmacists seeking to maximize their earnings should focus on pursuing advanced certifications and considering roles in hospitals or specialty settings, as these positions are likely to offer better job security and higher pay in Union, NJ.
More salary data for Union, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Union, NJ in 2026?
Is Union, NJ a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Union?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Union?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Union?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $163,874 for pharmacistsin the Union 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 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