Pharmacist Salary in Plainfield, NJ: $164,987 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Plainfield, NJ earns a median $164,987/year (≈ $79.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $143,218 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Plainfield, NJ, is projected to reach a median of $164,987, reflecting a competitive position relative to the national average of $143,489, which results in a 14.98% premium for local pharmacists. The salary range for this profession spans from $111,746 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $211,115 at the top (90th percentile), showcasing a significant disparity in earnings within the field. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, indicate that factors such as practice setting can greatly influence compensation. Pharmacists working as clinical specialists in hospitals tend to earn more than retail pharmacists, specifically those in designated pharmacist-in-charge roles. Understanding these dynamics is essential for prospective pharmacists in Plainfield who wish to navigate their career options effectively.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $111,746 | $53.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $147,377 | $70.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,987 | $79.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,591 | $88.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,115 | $101.49 |
Median Salary Position
14.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, NJ, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,369 (2026 est.). At $164,987, the local median is 14.98% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be above the median
How Plainfield Pharmacist Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $164,987/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $165,318 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +14.98% more |
Pharmacists in Plainfield, NJ earn a median of $164,987 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.98% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.20% below the New Jersey state average of $165,318.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plainfield, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $164,987 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $143,218 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$147,281
2025 BLS Actual
$162,022
2026 Current Est.
$164,987
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $147,281 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,994 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,833 | Actual |
| 2022 | $152,639 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,411 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,976 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,022 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,987 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $168,006 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $147,281 (2019) to $162,022 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $168,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,725 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $111,746 – $147,377 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $147,377 – $164,987 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,987 – $184,591 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,591 – $211,115 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Plainfield
With only 10 pharmacists reported in Plainfield, the job market remains relatively small but competitive. The cost of living index at 115.2 suggests that while salaries may be higher than the national median, the purchasing power of those earnings can be impacted by local living expenses. Employers in the area include retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty mail-order services such as Express Scripts. Differences in pay often stem from the settings where pharmacists operate; hospital clinical specialists and those with board certifications generally receive higher salaries, while retail staff pharmacists may see lower compensation. Strategies to enhance earning potential include pursuing PGY-1 residency programs or obtaining BPS board certifications. Additionally, pharmacists should be aware of the changes in the retail pharmacy landscape, as layoffs and consolidations can affect job availability and security.
More salary data for Plainfield, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $162,022 for pharmacistsin the Plainfield metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Plainfield 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 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov