Pharmacy Technician Salary in Lakewood, NJ: $55,137 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Lakewood, NJ earns a median $55,137/year (≈ $26.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $47,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, NJ, pharmacy technicians are projected to earn a median annual salary of $55,137 in 2026, which edges above the national median of $48,239—marking an increase of 14.30%. The salary range for pharmacy technicians in the area varies significantly, with the lowest earners seeing around $43,393 and the top 10% reaching as high as $76,605. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional price adjustments that reflect the cost of living in Lakewood. The local job market values the CSPT certification, particularly in hospital settings where sterile compounding is implemented, driving higher salaries compared to retail environments.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,393 | $20.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,389 | $21.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,137 | $26.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,025 | $29.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,605 | $36.83 |
Median Salary Position
14.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, NJ, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,212 (2026 est.). At $55,137, the local median is 14.3% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $55,137/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $55,581 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +14.30% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $55,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $55,581.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,137 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,862 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,805
2025 BLS Actual
$52,292
2026 Current Est.
$55,137
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,805 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,119 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,994 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,194 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,063 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,292 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,292 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,137 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $38,805 (2019) to $52,292 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,331 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $43,393 – $45,389 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,389 – $55,137 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,137 – $62,025 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,025 – $76,605 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Lakewood
The pharmacy technician job market in Lakewood is relatively stable, with approximately 31 professionals currently employed in the field. However, the cost of living index of 115.2 indicates that residents face increased living expenses, which can affect take-home pay and purchasing power. Major employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and local hospital pharmacies play a significant role in determining wages, with retail pharmacies generally offering lower pay compared to hospital settings that focus on specialized compounding. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the nature of the work environment, required certifications like the CSPT, and added benefits such as shift differentials and potential bonuses. For those seeking to maximize their pharmacy technician pay in Lakewood, pursuing additional certifications and considering employment in outpatient hospital pharmacies or compounding settings may lead to improved compensation.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $52,292 for pharmacy techniciansin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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