Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in East Orange, NJ: $27.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in East Orange, NJ runs $27.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,338 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against East Orange's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,805 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Orange, New Jersey, pharmacy technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $27.09, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19. This competitive wage reflects the demand for pharmacy technicians across various environments, such as retail pharmacies and hospital settings, where technicians often work in sterile compounding areas or mail-order fulfillment operations. For part-time workers, typically engaged for three days a week, the ability to earn around $27.09 per hour translates to a solid take-home pay, making it a viable option for many. The hourly rate also varies across experience levels, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $21.38 and top earners potentially making up to $35.46 per hour, providing clear pathways for those looking to advance in their careers.
About the East Orange 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) | $21.38 | $171.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.80 | $174.44 |
| Median (P50) | $27.09 | $216.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.30 | $234.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.46 | $283.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Orange
Based on $27.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.09/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Orange, NJ can expect to earn approximately $56,342 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,505. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in East Orange.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Orange
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,083.50 | $4,695 | $56,342 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $650.10 | $2,817 | $33,805 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $433.40 | $1,878 | $22,537 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (East Orange) | $27.09 |
| 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 Orange, NJ earn a median of $56,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.79% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $55,560.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.09/hr = $33,805/year (purchasing power: $29,345).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,342/year (purchasing power: $48,908).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in East Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in East Orange grew 34.8% from $19.06/hr (2019) to $25.69/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.56/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 Orange 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 Orange
For those working part-time in East Orange, a pharmacy technician could bring home a notable income. A three-day workweek, totaling around 24 hours, results in an annual income that can reach approximately $33,289, compared to the more substantial earnings of a full-time technician. Additionally, per diem opportunities present differing hourly pay rates; per diem pharmacy technicians commonly bill between $20 and $32 an hour, whereas those with specialized skills in hospital sterile compounding might command rates from $25 to $40 per hour. Travel contracts for these positions can yield weekly earnings ranging from $1,200 to $1,800, underscoring the value of specialization in this field. East Orange's pharmacy technicians often navigate varying pay structures across employer types, including retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, and hospital pharmacies, and the decision to accept lower hourly rates for roles with benefits is a common trade-off professionals make. For negotiating hourly pay, local technicians often emphasize their certification—such as the PTCB or CSPT—to bolster their value in this competitive market.
More salary data for East Orange, 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
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 Orange. 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 Orange 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