Pharmacist Salary

Buckeye vs Tucson: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Buckeye, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buckeye, AZ
$152,685
$73.41/hr
Tucson, AZ
$150,118
$72.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuckeye, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$152,685$150,118
Hourly Rate$73.41$72.17
Entry Level (P10)$112,482$74,092
25th Percentile$142,720$132,756
75th Percentile$171,340$164,934
Top Earner (P90)$190,658$178,579
Total Employed191,010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buckeye ($152,685) and Tucson ($150,118) pharmacist salaries.BuckeyeTucsonMedian Salary$152,685$150,118Entry Level (P10)$112,482$74,092Top Earner (P90)$190,658$178,579US Median $143,489

Verdict

Buckeye, AZ offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tucson.

The salary gap between Buckeye and Tucson is $2,567 (1.71%). Buckeye's median is +6.41% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buckeye spans $78,176,Tucson spans $104,487. Tucson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Buckeye
P10 (Entry)$112,482
P25$142,720
Median$152,685
P75$171,340
P90 (Top)$190,658
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$74,092
P25$132,756
Median$150,118
P75$164,934
P90 (Top)$178,579

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buckeye ($155,010 effective) pays 0.05% more than Tucson ($154,927 effective).

Buckeye
Nominal: $152,685
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $155,010
Tucson
Nominal: $150,118
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $154,927

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buckeye if…

  • Higher median salary ($152,685/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($190,658)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $155,010)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Larger job market (1,010 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Buckeye grew 12.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.1% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Buckeye, AZ

+12.2%

$133,596 (2024) → $149,941 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+4.1%

$141,590 (2019) → $147,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Buckeye or Tucson?

Buckeye has a higher median pharmacist salary at $152,685/year, compared to Tucson at $150,118/year — a difference of $2,567 (1.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buckeye and Tucson?

Buckeye pharmacists earn $73.41/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $72.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buckeye to Tucson as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buckeye and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buckeye = $155,010, Tucson = $154,927), job availability (19 vs 1,010 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Buckeye vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $112,482 in Buckeye and $74,092 in Tucson. The Buckeye 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