Pharmacy Technician Salary in Trenton, NJ: $40,173 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Trenton, NJ earns a median $40,173/year (≈ $19.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Trenton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $38,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 27.7% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for pharmacy technicians in Trenton, New Jersey, is expected to be $40,173. This figure reflects a notable decrease of approximately 16.72% compared to the national median of $48,239. Salaries for pharmacy technicians in the area show a wide range, with entry-level positions starting around $37,526 (P10) while experienced technicians can earn up to $59,985 (P90). These figures are derived from the latest insights based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and illustrate the distinct pay gradient that exists between roles in retail settings and those in hospital environments, particularly for technicians engaged in sterile compounding.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,526 | $18.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,855 | $18.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,173 | $19.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,506 | $24.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,985 | $28.84 |
Median Salary Position
16.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Trenton
In Trenton, NJ, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,459 (2026 est.). At $40,173, the local median is 16.72% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Trenton: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Trenton Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Trenton median: $40,173/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Trenton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $55,564 | -27.70% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -16.72% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Trenton, NJ earn a median of $40,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.72% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 27.70% below the New Jersey state average of $55,564.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Trenton has a cost of living 3.18% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Trenton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $40,173 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $38,935 — a 3.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,820
2025 BLS Actual
$38,100
2026 Current Est.
$40,173
2019–2027 Growth
+37.4%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,173 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,358 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Trenton metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 23.6% from $30,820 (2019) to $38,100 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,358 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,538 (37.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Trenton 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) | $37,526 – $38,855 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,855 – $40,173 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,173 – $50,506 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,506 – $59,985 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Trenton
The job market for pharmacy technicians in Trenton is relatively strong, with about 500 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 103.18, indicating that the local cost of living is slightly above the national average, which may impact the overall purchasing power of these salaries. Among local employers, those in hospital inpatient pharmacies tend to offer the highest compensation, followed closely by specialty and compounding pharmacies. The disparity in pay can largely be attributed to factors such as the specific work setting, which often pays more for specialized skills, including CSPT certification, and offers additional incentives like shift differentials for nights or weekends. For aspiring technicians looking to maximize their earning potential, obtaining certifications such as those from PTCB and NHA ExCPT can enhance job prospects. Additionally, seeking roles in high-demand environments, such as sterile compounding facilities, may provide greater financial rewards in the competitive Trenton market.
More salary data for Trenton, 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 $38,100 for pharmacy techniciansin the Trenton 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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