Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Princeton, NJ: $19.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Princeton, NJ runs $19.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,971 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Princeton's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $17.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,581 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Princeton, NJ, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected to reach $19.70 in 2026, which is notably below the national hourly median of $23.19. This rate can significantly influence part-time opportunities; for instance, a technician working three days a week might find flexible scheduling particularly appealing in retail pharmacy counters or hospital pharmacy settings, including sterile compounding areas compliant with USP <797> and <800>. Entry-level pharmacy technicians can expect to earn around $15.90 hourly, while those with experience in specialized roles may earn up to $24.80, reflecting a range that accommodates both newcomers and top earners in the field.
About the Princeton 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) | $15.90 | $127.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.33 | $130.66 |
| Median (P50) | $19.70 | $157.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.92 | $167.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.80 | $198.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Princeton
Based on $19.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.70/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Princeton, NJ can expect to earn approximately $40,968 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,635. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Princeton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Princeton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $787.85 | $3,414 | $40,968 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $472.71 | $2,048 | $24,581 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $315.14 | $1,366 | $16,387 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Princeton) | $19.70 |
| 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 Princeton, NJ earn a median of $40,971 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.07% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 26.30% below the New Jersey state average of $55,591.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.70/hr = $24,581/year (purchasing power: $21,338).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,968/year (purchasing power: $35,563).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$13.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Princeton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Princeton grew 34.8% from $13.86/hr (2019) to $18.68/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.77/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 Princeton 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 Princeton
Considering part-time work, a pharmacy technician in Princeton functioning on a 24-hour workweek can take home about $25,000 annually, contrasting with a full-time worker who might earn over $41,000 a year. Per diem pharmacy technicians tend to command higher rates, with pay ranging from $20 to $32 per hour, especially in settings that require hospital sterile compounding, where the hourly rate could go as high as $40. The hourly wage is influenced by the type of employer, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens generally offering lower pay compared to long-term care and specialty pharmacies. Many technicians face a decision: accept lower pay with better benefits or opt for higher hourly wages without health insurance. Negotiating effectively can be crucial; technicians should identify their leverage points, such as specialized certifications like CSPT or experience in USP compliance, to advocate for higher compensation in this competitive field.
More salary data for Princeton, 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 Princeton. 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 Princeton 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