Pharmacy Technician Salary in Bridgewater, NJ: $54,725 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Bridgewater, NJ earns a median $54,725/year (≈ $26.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Bridgewater's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $47,504 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Bridgewater, New Jersey, can expect a median annual salary of $54,725, positioning them notably higher than the national median of $48,239. The salaries for this role range from $43,513 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $68,553 at the higher end (90th percentile), reflecting differences in experience, work settings, and shift differentials commonly seen in retail and hospital environments. These projections are shaped by local economic conditions, including cost-of-living adjustments based on BLS state-level data and regional price parities. As Bridgewater's job market continues to adapt, those working in pharmacy settings, particularly during overnight shifts, often see added compensation reflecting the demand for coverage during less desirable hours.
About the Bridgewater Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,513 | $20.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,056 | $21.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,725 | $26.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,747 | $27.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,553 | $32.96 |
Median Salary Position
13.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bridgewater
In Bridgewater, NJ, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,040 (2026 est.). At $54,725, the local median is 13.45% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bridgewater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bridgewater Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Bridgewater median: $54,725/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bridgewater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $55,559 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +13.45% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Bridgewater, NJ earn a median of $54,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.45% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.50% below the New Jersey state average of $55,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bridgewater has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bridgewater, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,725 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,504 — a 13.2% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,515
2025 BLS Actual
$51,902
2026 Current Est.
$54,725
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Bridgewater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,515 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,872 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,719 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,917 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,902 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,725 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,703 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bridgewater metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $38,515 (2019) to $51,902 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,703 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,188 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bridgewater 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 5.44% 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) | $43,513 – $45,056 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,056 – $54,725 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,725 – $57,747 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,747 – $68,553 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Bridgewater
Currently, there are about 10 pharmacy technicians employed in Bridgewater, NJ, indicating a concentrated but competitive job market. The cost-of-living index stands at 115.2, slightly above the national average, impacting take-home pay across the board. Leading employers in the area include major retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, as well as local hospitals, where compensation for pharmacy technicians can vary significantly. High pay typically aligns with roles in hospital inpatient pharmacies, particularly those focusing on sterile compounding and compliance with USP <797> / <800> guidelines, often yielding higher salaries than retail pharmacy positions. To maximize earnings in this region, pharmacy technicians should consider obtaining certifications like PTCB and CSPT and actively pursue roles in specialized segments that offer greater wages, thereby harnessing upward mobility amid a changing market landscape.
More salary data for Bridgewater, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD
Career Analyst
Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.
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 $51,902 for pharmacy techniciansin the Bridgewater metropolitan area. A 5.44% 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 Bridgewater 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 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov