Pharmacy Tech Pay

Atlantic City vs Elizabeth: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$47,037
$22.62/hr
Elizabeth, NJ
$56,079
$26.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJElizabeth, NJ
Median Salary$47,037$56,079
Hourly Rate$22.62$26.96
Entry Level (P10)$37,684$45,388
25th Percentile$39,297$47,285
75th Percentile$51,307$62,988
Top Earner (P90)$59,226$77,750
Total Employed56025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($47,037) and Elizabeth ($56,079) pharmacy technician salaries.Atlantic CityElizabethMedian Salary$47,037$56,079Entry Level (P10)$37,684$45,388Top Earner (P90)$59,226$77,750US Median $48,239

Verdict

Elizabeth, NJ offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Elizabeth is $9,042 (19.22%). Elizabeth's median is +16.25% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $21,542,Elizabeth spans $32,362. Elizabeth has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$37,684
P25$39,297
Median$47,037
P75$51,307
P90 (Top)$59,226
Elizabeth
P10 (Entry)$45,388
P25$47,285
Median$56,079
P75$62,988
P90 (Top)$77,750

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Elizabeth ($48,680 effective) pays 2.31% more than Atlantic City ($47,581 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $47,037
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $47,581
Elizabeth
Nominal: $56,079
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $48,680

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Elizabeth if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,079/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($77,750)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,680)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Atlantic City grew 12.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.0% growth in Elizabeth over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+12.5%

$39,650 (2019) → $44,610 (2025)

Elizabeth, NJ

+4.0%

$51,152 (2024) → $53,186 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Atlantic City or Elizabeth?

Elizabeth has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $56,079/year, compared to Atlantic City at $47,037/year — a difference of $9,042 (19.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Elizabeth?

Atlantic City pharmacy technicians earn $22.62/hr while Elizabeth hygienists earn $26.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Elizabeth as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Elizabeth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $47,581, Elizabeth = $48,680), job availability (560 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Atlantic City vs Elizabeth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $37,684 in Atlantic City and $45,388 in Elizabeth. The Elizabeth area offers higher starting salaries.
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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov