Pharmacist Salary

Augusta vs Bangor: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Augusta, ME and Bangor, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, ME
$134,764
$64.79/hr
Bangor, ME
$147,867
$71.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, MEBangor, ME
Median Salary$134,764$147,867
Hourly Rate$64.79$71.09
Entry Level (P10)$103,819$105,985
25th Percentile$128,618$129,905
75th Percentile$153,233$160,494
Top Earner (P90)$160,818$170,596
Total Employed4200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($134,764) and Bangor ($147,867) pharmacist salaries.AugustaBangorMedian Salary$134,764$147,867Entry Level (P10)$103,819$105,985Top Earner (P90)$160,818$170,596US Median $143,489

Verdict

Bangor, ME offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Bangor is $13,103 (9.72%). Bangor's median is +3.05% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $56,999,Bangor spans $64,611. Bangor has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$103,819
P25$128,618
Median$134,764
P75$153,233
P90 (Top)$160,818
Bangor
P10 (Entry)$105,985
P25$129,905
Median$147,867
P75$160,494
P90 (Top)$170,596

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bangor ($153,217 effective) pays 13.24% more than Augusta ($135,305 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $134,764
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $135,305
Bangor
Nominal: $147,867
CoL Index: 96.508
Adjusted: $153,217

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Bangor if…

  • Higher median salary ($147,867/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,596)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $153,217)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Augusta grew 8.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.2% growth in Bangor over the same period.

Augusta, ME

+8.4%

$122,096 (2024) → $132,342 (2025)

Bangor, ME

+5.2%

$137,980 (2019) → $145,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Augusta or Bangor?

Bangor has a higher median pharmacist salary at $147,867/year, compared to Augusta at $134,764/year — a difference of $13,103 (9.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Bangor?

Augusta pharmacists earn $64.79/hr while Bangor hygienists earn $71.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Bangor as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Bangor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $135,305, Bangor = $153,217), job availability (4 vs 200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Augusta vs Bangor?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $103,819 in Augusta and $105,985 in Bangor. The Bangor 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