Pharmacist Salary

Abilene vs San Antonio: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Abilene, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Abilene, TX
$136,106
$65.44/hr
San Antonio, TX
$153,254
$73.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAbilene, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$136,106$153,254
Hourly Rate$65.44$73.68
Entry Level (P10)$48,451$98,439
25th Percentile$130,424$135,383
75th Percentile$155,393$161,777
Top Earner (P90)$171,930$170,158
Total Employed1502,260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Abilene ($136,106) and San Antonio ($153,254) pharmacist salaries.AbileneSan AntonioMedian Salary$136,106$153,254Entry Level (P10)$48,451$98,439Top Earner (P90)$171,930$170,158US Median $143,489

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Abilene.

The salary gap between Abilene and San Antonio is $17,148 (12.60%). San Antonio's median is +6.81% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Abilene spans $123,479,San Antonio spans $71,719. Abilene has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Abilene
P10 (Entry)$48,451
P25$130,424
Median$136,106
P75$155,393
P90 (Top)$171,930
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$98,439
P25$135,383
Median$153,254
P75$161,777
P90 (Top)$170,158

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($161,804 effective) pays 7.43% more than Abilene ($150,620 effective).

Abilene
Nominal: $136,106
CoL Index: 90.364
Adjusted: $150,620
San Antonio
Nominal: $153,254
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $161,804

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Abilene if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($171,930)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($153,254/year)
  • Larger job market (2,260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $161,804)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Abilene grew 6.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.5% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Abilene, TX

+6.9%

$124,990 (2019) → $133,660 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+17.5%

$128,080 (2019) → $150,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Abilene or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median pharmacist salary at $153,254/year, compared to Abilene at $136,106/year — a difference of $17,148 (12.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Abilene and San Antonio?

Abilene pharmacists earn $65.44/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $73.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Abilene to San Antonio as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Abilene and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Abilene = $150,620, San Antonio = $161,804), job availability (150 vs 2,260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Abilene vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $48,451 in Abilene and $98,439 in San Antonio. The San Antonio area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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