Pharmacist Salary

Bloomington vs Duluth: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Bloomington, MN and Duluth, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bloomington, MN
$161,031
$77.42/hr
Duluth, MN
$157,694
$75.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBloomington, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$161,031$157,694
Hourly Rate$77.42$75.81
Entry Level (P10)$115,766$110,648
25th Percentile$144,971$135,077
75th Percentile$184,879$160,769
Top Earner (P90)$197,190$174,262
Total Employed18330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bloomington ($161,031) and Duluth ($157,694) pharmacist salaries.BloomingtonDuluthMedian Salary$161,031$157,694Entry Level (P10)$115,766$110,648Top Earner (P90)$197,190$174,262US Median $143,489

Verdict

Bloomington, MN offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Bloomington and Duluth is $3,337 (2.12%). Bloomington's median is +12.23% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $81,424,Duluth spans $63,614. Bloomington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bloomington
P10 (Entry)$115,766
P25$144,971
Median$161,031
P75$184,879
P90 (Top)$197,190
Duluth
P10 (Entry)$110,648
P25$135,077
Median$157,694
P75$160,769
P90 (Top)$174,262

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($177,647 effective) pays 8.66% more than Bloomington ($163,483 effective).

Bloomington
Nominal: $161,031
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $163,483
Duluth
Nominal: $157,694
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $177,647

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bloomington if…

  • Higher median salary ($161,031/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($197,190)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $177,647)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Bloomington grew 19.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.0% growth in Duluth over the same period.

Bloomington, MN

+19.6%

$132,186 (2024) → $158,137 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+9.0%

$142,050 (2019) → $154,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Bloomington or Duluth?

Bloomington has a higher median pharmacist salary at $161,031/year, compared to Duluth at $157,694/year — a difference of $3,337 (2.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Duluth?

Bloomington pharmacists earn $77.42/hr while Duluth hygienists earn $75.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bloomington to Duluth as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bloomington and Duluth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bloomington = $163,483, Duluth = $177,647), job availability (18 vs 330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Bloomington vs Duluth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $115,766 in Bloomington and $110,648 in Duluth. The Bloomington 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