Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in East Brunswick, NJ: $26.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in East Brunswick, NJ runs $26.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,372 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against East Brunswick's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,621 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly rate of $26.14, pharmacy technicians in East Brunswick enjoy a competitive compensation level compared to the national hourly median of $23.19. This substantial difference means that those working part-time, for instance three days a week, can expect a solid income that supports a reliable lifestyle even without full-time hours. The hourly pay range in this area spans from $20.61 for entry-level positions to $34.88 for more experienced technicians or those working in specialized settings like hospital IV clean rooms or long-term care pharmacies. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates and reflect the rising demand for trained technicians, which has become more pronounced since the pandemic, particularly across various pharmacy settings such as retail chains, specialty pharmacies, and hospital facilities.
About the East Brunswick 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) | $20.61 | $164.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.31 | $170.48 |
| Median (P50) | $26.14 | $209.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.42 | $219.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.88 | $279.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Brunswick
Based on $26.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.14/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Brunswick, NJ can expect to earn approximately $54,368 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,366. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in East Brunswick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Brunswick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,045.54 | $4,531 | $54,368 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $627.33 | $2,718 | $32,621 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $418.22 | $1,812 | $21,747 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (East Brunswick) | $26.14 |
| 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 East Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $54,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.71% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.20% below the New Jersey state average of $55,595.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.14/hr = $32,621/year (purchasing power: $28,317).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,368/year (purchasing power: $47,195).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in East Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in East Brunswick grew 34.8% from $18.40/hr (2019) to $24.79/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.56/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 East Brunswick 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 East Brunswick
For pharmacy technicians considering part-time work in East Brunswick, the earning potential for a 24-hour workweek can provide a significant income boost compared to full-time wages, though it may lack benefits associated with full-time positions. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in East Brunswick typically falls between $20 to $32 per hour, with those specializing in sterile compounding earning as much as $40 per hour when part of a hospital team. Notably, travel pharmacy technician contracts can yield high weekly earnings ranging from $1,200 to $1,800, especially in markets facing shortages. Compensation can vary not only by role but also by employer type: retail pharmacy chains might offer less than specialized facilities, yet they may include health benefits that higher-wage positions do not. Those negotiating hourly pay should consider whether the lower wages are worth the sacrifice of health insurance and consistent hours, especially in an area where pharmacy technician hourly pay reflects both market demand and required certifications such as PTCB or CSPT compliance.
More salary data for East Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in East Brunswick in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in East Brunswick?
Are pharmacy technicians in East Brunswick paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in East Brunswick?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in East Brunswick?
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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 East Brunswick. 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 East Brunswick 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