Pharmacist Salary

Baton Rouge vs Hammond: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Hammond, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$137,145
$65.93/hr
Hammond, LA
$136,025
$65.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LAHammond, LA
Median Salary$137,145$136,025
Hourly Rate$65.93$65.40
Entry Level (P10)$115,852$105,027
25th Percentile$129,232$129,385
75th Percentile$154,578$151,391
Top Earner (P90)$164,191$168,478
Total Employed960140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($137,145) and Hammond ($136,025) pharmacist salaries.Baton RougeHammondMedian Salary$137,145$136,025Entry Level (P10)$115,852$105,027Top Earner (P90)$164,191$168,478US Median $143,489

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hammond.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Hammond is $1,120 (0.82%). Baton Rouge's median is -4.42% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $48,339,Hammond spans $63,451. Hammond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$115,852
P25$129,232
Median$137,145
P75$154,578
P90 (Top)$164,191
Hammond
P10 (Entry)$105,027
P25$129,385
Median$136,025
P75$151,391
P90 (Top)$168,478

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hammond ($161,053 effective) pays 6.61% more than Baton Rouge ($151,074 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $137,145
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $151,074
Hammond
Nominal: $136,025
CoL Index: 84.46
Adjusted: $161,053

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,145/year)
  • Larger job market (960 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Hammond if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($168,478)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $161,053)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Baton Rouge grew 2.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.3% growth in Hammond over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+2.3%

$131,700 (2019) → $134,680 (2025)

Hammond, LA

+7.3%

$124,540 (2019) → $133,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Baton Rouge or Hammond?

Baton Rouge has a higher median pharmacist salary at $137,145/year, compared to Hammond at $136,025/year — a difference of $1,120 (0.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Hammond?

Baton Rouge pharmacists earn $65.93/hr while Hammond hygienists earn $65.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Hammond as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Hammond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $151,074, Hammond = $161,053), job availability (960 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Baton Rouge vs Hammond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $115,852 in Baton Rouge and $105,027 in Hammond. The Baton Rouge 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