Pharmacy Tech Pay

North Bergen vs Trenton: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between North Bergen, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Bergen, NJ
$53,890
$25.91/hr
Trenton, NJ
$40,173
$19.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Bergen, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$53,890$40,173
Hourly Rate$25.91$19.32
Entry Level (P10)$43,018$37,526
25th Percentile$43,879$38,855
75th Percentile$58,748$50,506
Top Earner (P90)$71,000$59,985
Total Employed13500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Bergen ($53,890) and Trenton ($40,173) pharmacy technician salaries.North BergenTrentonMedian Salary$53,890$40,173Entry Level (P10)$43,018$37,526Top Earner (P90)$71,000$59,985US Median $48,239

Verdict

North Bergen, NJ offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between North Bergen and Trenton is $13,717 (34.14%). North Bergen's median is +11.71% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Bergen spans $27,982,Trenton spans $22,459. North Bergen has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Bergen
P10 (Entry)$43,018
P25$43,879
Median$53,890
P75$58,748
P90 (Top)$71,000
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$37,526
P25$38,855
Median$40,173
P75$50,506
P90 (Top)$59,985

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Bergen ($46,780 effective) pays 20.15% more than Trenton ($38,935 effective).

North Bergen
Nominal: $53,890
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $46,780
Trenton
Nominal: $40,173
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $38,935

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Bergen if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,890/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($71,000)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,780)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in North Bergen grew 4.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in Trenton over the same period.

North Bergen, NJ

+4.0%

$49,155 (2024) → $51,110 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+23.6%

$30,820 (2019) → $38,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: North Bergen or Trenton?

North Bergen has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $53,890/year, compared to Trenton at $40,173/year — a difference of $13,717 (34.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Bergen and Trenton?

North Bergen pharmacy technicians earn $25.91/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $19.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Bergen to Trenton as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Bergen and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Bergen = $46,780, Trenton = $38,935), job availability (13 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in North Bergen vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $43,018 in North Bergen and $37,526 in Trenton. The North Bergen 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