Pharmacist Salary

Bridgeport vs Fairfield: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Bridgeport, CT and Fairfield, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bridgeport, CT
$160,321
$77.08/hr
Fairfield, CT
$141,474
$68.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgeport, CTFairfield, CT
Median Salary$160,321$141,474
Hourly Rate$77.08$68.01
Entry Level (P10)$113,673$104,187
25th Percentile$138,112$132,323
75th Percentile$167,123$158,951
Top Earner (P90)$175,728$181,594
Total Employed6609
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgeport ($160,321) and Fairfield ($141,474) pharmacist salaries.BridgeportFairfieldMedian Salary$160,321$141,474Entry Level (P10)$113,673$104,187Top Earner (P90)$175,728$181,594US Median $143,489

Verdict

Bridgeport, CT offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fairfield.

The salary gap between Bridgeport and Fairfield is $18,847 (13.32%). Bridgeport's median is +11.73% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bridgeport spans $62,055,Fairfield spans $77,407. Fairfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Bridgeport
P10 (Entry)$113,673
P25$138,112
Median$160,321
P75$167,123
P90 (Top)$175,728
Fairfield
P10 (Entry)$104,187
P25$132,323
Median$141,474
P75$158,951
P90 (Top)$181,594

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bridgeport ($150,023 effective) pays 14.42% more than Fairfield ($131,116 effective).

Bridgeport
Nominal: $160,321
CoL Index: 106.864
Adjusted: $150,023
Fairfield
Nominal: $141,474
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $131,116

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bridgeport if…

  • Higher median salary ($160,321/year)
  • Larger job market (660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $150,023)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Fairfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($181,594)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Bridgeport grew 12.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.1% growth in Fairfield over the same period.

Bridgeport, CT

+12.6%

$139,800 (2019) → $157,440 (2025)

Fairfield, CT

+-5.1%

$146,416 (2024) → $138,932 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Bridgeport or Fairfield?

Bridgeport has a higher median pharmacist salary at $160,321/year, compared to Fairfield at $141,474/year — a difference of $18,847 (13.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgeport and Fairfield?

Bridgeport pharmacists earn $77.08/hr while Fairfield hygienists earn $68.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bridgeport to Fairfield as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgeport and Fairfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgeport = $150,023, Fairfield = $131,116), job availability (660 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Bridgeport vs Fairfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $113,673 in Bridgeport and $104,187 in Fairfield. The Bridgeport 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