Pharmacist Salary

Atlantic City vs Elizabeth: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$137,358
$66.04/hr
Elizabeth, NJ
$166,812
$80.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJElizabeth, NJ
Median Salary$137,358$166,812
Hourly Rate$66.04$80.20
Entry Level (P10)$63,756$121,485
25th Percentile$126,809$155,657
75th Percentile$157,378$196,770
Top Earner (P90)$165,240$214,642
Total Employed37025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($137,358) and Elizabeth ($166,812) pharmacist salaries.Atlantic CityElizabethMedian Salary$137,358$166,812Entry Level (P10)$63,756$121,485Top Earner (P90)$165,240$214,642US Median $143,489

Verdict

Elizabeth, NJ offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Elizabeth is $29,454 (21.44%). Elizabeth's median is +16.25% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $101,484,Elizabeth spans $93,157. Atlantic City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$63,756
P25$126,809
Median$137,358
P75$157,378
P90 (Top)$165,240
Elizabeth
P10 (Entry)$121,485
P25$155,657
Median$166,812
P75$196,770
P90 (Top)$214,642

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Elizabeth ($144,802 effective) pays 4.21% more than Atlantic City ($138,946 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $137,358
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $138,946
Elizabeth
Nominal: $166,812
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $144,802

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Elizabeth if…

  • Higher median salary ($166,812/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($214,642)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $144,802)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Atlantic City grew 11.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.7% growth in Elizabeth over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+11.4%

$121,120 (2019) → $134,890 (2025)

Elizabeth, NJ

+0.7%

$162,756 (2024) → $163,814 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Atlantic City or Elizabeth?

Elizabeth has a higher median pharmacist salary at $166,812/year, compared to Atlantic City at $137,358/year — a difference of $29,454 (21.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Elizabeth?

Atlantic City pharmacists earn $66.04/hr while Elizabeth hygienists earn $80.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Elizabeth as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Elizabeth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $138,946, Elizabeth = $144,802), job availability (370 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Atlantic City vs Elizabeth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $63,756 in Atlantic City and $121,485 in Elizabeth. The Elizabeth area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD

Career Analyst

Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Patel, PharmDData verified by Amina Al-Sayed, PharmD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov