Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Berkeley, NJ: $26.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Berkeley, NJ runs $26.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,441 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Berkeley's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,660 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Berkeley, NJ, the pharmacy technician hourly pay averages $26.17, considerably higher than the national median of $23.19. This competitive rate reflects not only the increasing demand for pharmacy technicians but also the local cost of living, which is above the national average. For part-time pharmacy technicians working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a practical income when balancing work with other responsibilities. The hourly range for technicians in Berkeley spans from $20.58 at the entry level up to $35.06 for top earners, showcasing opportunities across various sectors, including retail pharmacies, hospital settings, and specialty compounding environments. This wage structure allows both part-time and per-diem workers to find suitable employment in a variety of contexts, from retail pharmacy counters to sterile compounding areas compliant with USP <797> and <800> regulations.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.58 | $164.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.38 | $171.07 |
| Median (P50) | $26.17 | $209.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.46 | $219.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.06 | $280.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Berkeley
Based on $26.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.17/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Berkeley, NJ can expect to earn approximately $54,434 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,404. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Berkeley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Berkeley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,046.81 | $4,536 | $54,434 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $628.08 | $2,722 | $32,660 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $418.72 | $1,814 | $21,774 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Berkeley) | $26.17 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Berkeley, NJ earn a median of $54,441 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $55,552.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.17/hr = $32,660/year (purchasing power: $28,351).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,434/year (purchasing power: $47,252).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Berkeley grew 34.8% from $18.42/hr (2019) to $24.82/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.59/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berkeley 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.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Berkeley
Exploring the earning potential for pharmacy technicians in Berkeley reveals a diverse landscape shaped by employer type and work arrangements. A part-time pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week can expect to bring home approximately $32,698 annually, while full-time technicians typically earn significantly more due to their extended hours. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Berkeley varies widely, with workers commonly billing between $20 and $32 per hour, whereas those in specialized hospital environments may command higher rates of $25 to $40 per hour for sterile compounding roles. Additionally, travel pharmacy technician contracts can offer salaries ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 per week, appealing to those seeking short-term, high-reward opportunities. While retail chains may offer stable employment, some technicians opt for higher hourly wages in exchange for benefits, balancing immediate pay against long-term health insurance and retirement considerations. For those entering this field, negotiating hourly rates in Berkeley involves understanding the local market dynamics and what various employers provide, ensuring they are compensated fairly for their expertise in compliance and production tasks.
More salary data for Berkeley, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Berkeley in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Berkeley. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Berkeley 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