Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Manchester, NJ: $25.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Manchester, NJ runs $25.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,535 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Manchester's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,121 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Manchester, New Jersey, the projected hourly pay for pharmacy technicians is estimated at $25.74 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $23.19. This competitive hourly rate opens up various opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers across the city's diverse pharmacy settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacy environments, and specialty compounding areas. With an hourly range that starts at $21.65 for entry-level positions and extends to $34.54 for top earners, pharmacy technicians can find flexible work schedules that fit their needs, especially those working three days a week in a typical 24-hour work pattern. These earnings allow technicians to capitalize on the growing demand for their skills, particularly as the role has expanded in recent years.
About the Manchester 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) | $21.65 | $173.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.08 | $176.63 |
| Median (P50) | $25.74 | $205.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.05 | $216.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.54 | $276.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Manchester
Based on $25.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.74/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Manchester, NJ can expect to earn approximately $53,535 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,885. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Manchester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Manchester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,029.52 | $4,461 | $53,535 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $617.71 | $2,677 | $32,121 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $411.81 | $1,784 | $21,414 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Manchester) | $25.74 |
| 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 Manchester, NJ earn a median of $53,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.98% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 3.70% below the New Jersey state average of $55,592.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.74/hr = $32,121/year (purchasing power: $27,883).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,535/year (purchasing power: $46,471).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Manchester grew 34.8% from $18.11/hr (2019) to $24.41/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.14/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 Manchester 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 Manchester
For those considering part-time work, a pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week could realistically take home around $31,437 annually, a substantial difference from full-time incomes. Meanwhile, per diem pharmacy technician pay in Manchester ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles in sterile compounding demanding even higher rates, often ranging from $25 to $40 hourly. Travel contracts can yield between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly, particularly in hospital settings facing staffing shortages. In terms of employer types, the pay can significantly vary; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens often pay less than hospitals or specialty pharmacies, which typically offer better benefits. This discrepancy leads some technicians to accept lower hourly wages for the assurance of health insurance, whereas others prefer higher hourly rates without benefits. When negotiating pay, it's critical for applicants to emphasize their certifications, such as the PTCB credential, to leverage their worth in Manchester’s pharmacy job market.
More salary data for Manchester, 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 Manchester. 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 Manchester 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