Pharmacist Salary

Charleston vs Conway: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Charleston, SC and Conway, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$148,621
$71.45/hr
Conway, SC
$135,345
$65.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCConway, SC
Median Salary$148,621$135,345
Hourly Rate$71.45$65.07
Entry Level (P10)$114,518$103,493
25th Percentile$133,255$128,611
75th Percentile$164,578$150,694
Top Earner (P90)$170,993$155,690
Total Employed9204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($148,621) and Conway ($135,345) pharmacist salaries.CharlestonConwayMedian Salary$148,621$135,345Entry Level (P10)$114,518$103,493Top Earner (P90)$170,993$155,690US Median $143,489

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Conway.

The salary gap between Charleston and Conway is $13,276 (9.81%). Charleston's median is +3.58% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $56,475,Conway spans $52,197. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$114,518
P25$133,255
Median$148,621
P75$164,578
P90 (Top)$170,993
Conway
P10 (Entry)$103,493
P25$128,611
Median$135,345
P75$150,694
P90 (Top)$155,690

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Conway ($147,918 effective) pays 0.48% more than Charleston ($147,205 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $148,621
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $147,205
Conway
Nominal: $135,345
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $147,918

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($148,621/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,993)
  • Larger job market (920 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Conway if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $147,918)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Charleston grew 13.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.0% growth in Conway over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+13.1%

$129,060 (2019) → $145,950 (2025)

Conway, SC

+23.0%

$108,063 (2024) → $132,913 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Charleston or Conway?

Charleston has a higher median pharmacist salary at $148,621/year, compared to Conway at $135,345/year — a difference of $13,276 (9.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Conway?

Charleston pharmacists earn $71.45/hr while Conway hygienists earn $65.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Conway as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Conway. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $147,205, Conway = $147,918), job availability (920 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Charleston vs Conway?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $114,518 in Charleston and $103,493 in Conway. The Charleston area offers higher starting salaries.
SC

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