How much do certified pharmacy techs make in NJ?

In New Jersey, Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) earn an average hourly wage around $22-$23, translating to roughly $43,000-$48,000 annually, with potential for higher pay in hospitals or specialized roles, though retail chains like CVS might start closer to $20/hour, making experience and location key factors for higher earnings.

How much does a certified pharmacy tech make in NJ?

How much does a Pharmacy Technician make in New Jersey? As of January 14th, 2026, the average salary for a Pharmacy Technician in New Jersey is $20.79 per hour, which is equal to $43,252 per year. Our data is based on an analysis of 6,274 recent job postings for Pharmacy Technicians in New Jersey.

Do certified pharmacy techs get paid more?

Highest-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Pharmacy Technicians

Interestingly, the 10 top-paying locations in the U.S. are all in California except for one in Washington, according to the BLS. In fact, the Golden State is the highest paying in the country.

How much does a CST make in NJ?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $145,178 and as low as $33,503, the majority of Certified Surgical Technologist Cst salaries currently range between $65,000 (25th percentile) to $110,700 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $133,503 annually in New Jersey.

How much does CVS pay pharmacy technicians in NJ?

Average CVS Health Certified Pharmacy Technician hourly pay in New Jersey is approximately $20.02, which meets the national average.

🏨HOW MUCH MONEY DO PHARMACY TECHS MAKE? | THE TRUTH ABOUT PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SALARIES REVEALED

Who gets paid more, CNA or pharmacy tech?

Generally, Pharmacy Technicians (Pharm Techs) earn slightly more than Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), with Pharm Techs averaging around $35k-$40k+ and CNAs around $26k-$45k+, but salaries vary significantly by state, experience, and setting (hospitals often pay more). Pharm Techs focus on dispensing medications and work in pharmacies, while CNAs provide direct patient care (bathing, feeding) in homes or facilities, making Pharm Tech roles potentially more lucrative and offer a different career path.
 

Is it worth becoming a certified pharmacy tech?

Working a pharmacy technician job gives you a good opportunity to work in healthcare without having to spend thousands of dollars or multiple years in school or training programs. Pharmacy technicians are well respected, earn a decent living, get great benefits, and enjoy excellent job security.

Is it hard to become a CST?

How Hard Is the CST Exam? The CST exam is designed to test a wide range of surgical technology knowledge under time constraints, making it a rigorous but achievable challenge. According to the NBSTSA's Certification Statistics(Open Link in new window), the national first-time pass rate in 2024 was 71.8%.

Is $30 an hour good in New Jersey?

Yes, $30 an hour ($62,400/year) is a solid wage in New Jersey, generally considered good for a single person to live comfortably outside high-cost areas, exceeding the MIT living wage ($24.76/hr for one adult) and the state's median income, though affording a family or expensive housing in prime spots might still require roommates or a second income. It's above average for many roles but lower-end for specialized tech/medical jobs, varying significantly by location and benefits like health insurance. 

How much do sterile techs make in NJ?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $91,879 and as low as $28,934, the majority of Sterile Processing Technician salaries currently range between $42,100 (25th percentile) to $70,100 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $82,234 annually in New Jersey.

Can you make a living off being a pharmacy tech?

Yes, you can make a living as a pharmacy technician, especially by moving into higher-paying settings like hospitals or specialized roles and gaining certifications, though median pay is around $43k-$45k/year; getting out of retail and into institutional settings often yields better pay, benefits, and stability, with experienced techs in hospitals potentially earning $70k+.
 

Is pharmacy tech harder than CNA?

Which is harder, CNA or Pharmacy Tech? Academically, Pharmacy Tech training involves more math and memorization of drug names. Physically, CNA work is much harder due to lifting patients and being on your feet for 12 hours.

What is the difference between a pharmacy tech and a certified pharmacy tech?

A Pharmacy Tech is a general term, while a Certified Pharmacy Tech (CPhT) has passed a national exam (like PTCB or NHA), proving advanced knowledge, which is often preferred by employers and can lead to better jobs, even if a state license (legal permission to work) is the basic requirement. Think of licensure as the state's okay to work, and certification as an added national credential showing expertise, with many states requiring both or allowing certification to help get a license. 

Do pharmacy techs work 12 hour shifts?

During Peak/high demand, shifts last up to 12 hours (standard full-time shifts are 8-10 hours). Work a flexible schedule - shifts will possibly start and end outside of normal business hours.

How long is pharmacy tech school in NJ?

New Jersey Pharmacy Technician FAQs

Enroll in a pharmacy technician training program approved by the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy. Our program here at USCI can be completed in 4 months.

Is $90,000 a good salary in NJ?

Yes, $90k is a good salary in New Jersey, especially for a single person, allowing for comfortable living and saving in most areas, though it can be tight for a family, depending heavily on your specific location (north vs. south), housing costs, and lifestyle, as NJ has a high cost of living, notes Reddit users and ZipRecruiter. A single person can generally afford rent/mortgage in a middle-class town, but families might struggle, with estimates suggesting around $109k needed for a single person to live comfortably in NJ and much more for a family, says NorthJersey.com via SmartAsset. 

What is $50,000 a year hourly in NJ?

How much does a 50000 make in New Jersey? As of Jan 9, 2026, the average annual pay for a 50000 in New Jersey is $50,062 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $24.07 an hour. This is the equivalent of $962/week or $4,171/month.

What is a livable salary in New Jersey?

SmartAsset said a single adult in New Jersey needs an income of $108,992 to live comfortably and a family of four needs $282,714. From 2024 to 2025, New Jersey saw the second highest year-to-year increase in household income needed for a family to live comfortably with a jump of 12.55%.

How hard is it to pass the CST exam?

The CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) exam is challenging due to its comprehensive nature, covering pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care, but it's very manageable with proper preparation, as indicated by first-time pass rates around 70-75%. The 175-question, 4-hour exam tests broad surgical knowledge, requiring strong time management and deep familiarity with core texts like Alexander's Care of Patients in Surgery, though some find certain versions harder depending on question focus (anatomy, pharmacology, etc.). 

How much is CST school?

Surgical tech programs cost anywhere from $4,000 to $25,000, depending on the type of program you choose. The most popular certification exams cost $190 (CST) and $199 (TS-C).

How long does it take to get your CST certification?

Certificate and diploma programs may take as little as 12 months to graduate while completing associate degree programs take two years. All these educational surgical technology program pathways include didactic classroom learning and a required number of clinical hours by precepting with a CST to graduate.

Who gets paid more, CNA or pharmacy technician?

Generally, Pharmacy Technicians (Pharm Techs) earn slightly more than Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), with Pharm Techs averaging around $35k-$40k+ and CNAs around $26k-$45k+, but salaries vary significantly by state, experience, and setting (hospitals often pay more). Pharm Techs focus on dispensing medications and work in pharmacies, while CNAs provide direct patient care (bathing, feeding) in homes or facilities, making Pharm Tech roles potentially more lucrative and offer a different career path.
 

Is pharmacy tech a lot of math?

There are many math concepts that are used in this career role such as addition and subtraction, fractions, determining percentages, weights, and even measurements. It is vital that you are skilled in math computation and have a strong background in math to ensure patients are receiving the correct dosage of medicine.

How hard is it to pass the pharmacy tech exam?

About the PTCB Exam

According to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, in 2021, 71% of test-takers passed the certification exam. Pharmacy technicians are growing high in demand at an above-average rate of 12% by 2026.