Pharmacist Salary

Baltimore vs Wheaton: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Baltimore, MD and Wheaton, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$140,637
$67.62/hr
Wheaton, MD
$156,811
$75.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDWheaton, MD
Median Salary$140,637$156,811
Hourly Rate$67.62$75.39
Entry Level (P10)$116,168$107,293
25th Percentile$132,705$140,404
75th Percentile$157,470$179,208
Top Earner (P90)$171,085$191,244
Total Employed2,73011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($140,637) and Wheaton ($156,811) pharmacist salaries.BaltimoreWheatonMedian Salary$140,637$156,811Entry Level (P10)$116,168$107,293Top Earner (P90)$171,085$191,244US Median $143,489

Verdict

Wheaton, MD offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Wheaton is $16,174 (11.50%). Wheaton's median is +9.28% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $54,917,Wheaton spans $83,951. Wheaton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$116,168
P25$132,705
Median$140,637
P75$157,470
P90 (Top)$171,085
Wheaton
P10 (Entry)$107,293
P25$140,404
Median$156,811
P75$179,208
P90 (Top)$191,244

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wheaton ($143,468 effective) pays 6.59% more than Baltimore ($134,598 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $140,637
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $134,598
Wheaton
Nominal: $156,811
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $143,468

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (2,730 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Wheaton if…

  • Higher median salary ($156,811/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($191,244)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,468)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Baltimore grew 14.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.4% growth in Wheaton over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+14.2%

$120,900 (2019) → $138,110 (2025)

Wheaton, MD

+4.4%

$147,534 (2024) → $153,993 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Baltimore or Wheaton?

Wheaton has a higher median pharmacist salary at $156,811/year, compared to Baltimore at $140,637/year — a difference of $16,174 (11.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Wheaton?

Baltimore pharmacists earn $67.62/hr while Wheaton hygienists earn $75.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Wheaton as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Wheaton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $134,598, Wheaton = $143,468), job availability (2,730 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Baltimore vs Wheaton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $116,168 in Baltimore and $107,293 in Wheaton. The Baltimore 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