Pharmacist Salary

Charlotte vs Jacksonville: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Charlotte, NC and Jacksonville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$153,336
$73.72/hr
Jacksonville, NC
$135,281
$65.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCJacksonville, NC
Median Salary$153,336$135,281
Hourly Rate$73.72$65.04
Entry Level (P10)$93,449$94,692
25th Percentile$134,212$117,990
75th Percentile$170,168$149,242
Top Earner (P90)$177,113$167,327
Total Employed2,53080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($153,336) and Jacksonville ($135,281) pharmacist salaries.CharlotteJacksonvilleMedian Salary$153,336$135,281Entry Level (P10)$93,449$94,692Top Earner (P90)$177,113$167,327US Median $143,489

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jacksonville.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Jacksonville is $18,055 (13.35%). Charlotte's median is +6.86% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $83,664,Jacksonville spans $72,635. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$93,449
P25$134,212
Median$153,336
P75$170,168
P90 (Top)$177,113
Jacksonville
P10 (Entry)$94,692
P25$117,990
Median$135,281
P75$149,242
P90 (Top)$167,327

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($157,513 effective) pays 7.22% more than Jacksonville ($146,909 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $153,336
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $157,513
Jacksonville
Nominal: $135,281
CoL Index: 92.085
Adjusted: $146,909

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($153,336/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($177,113)
  • Larger job market (2,530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $157,513)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Jacksonville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Charlotte grew 16.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.6% growth in Jacksonville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+16.5%

$129,280 (2019) → $150,580 (2025)

Jacksonville, NC

+6.6%

$124,680 (2019) → $132,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Charlotte or Jacksonville?

Charlotte has a higher median pharmacist salary at $153,336/year, compared to Jacksonville at $135,281/year — a difference of $18,055 (13.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Jacksonville?

Charlotte pharmacists earn $73.72/hr while Jacksonville hygienists earn $65.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Jacksonville as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Jacksonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $157,513, Jacksonville = $146,909), job availability (2,530 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Charlotte vs Jacksonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $93,449 in Charlotte and $94,692 in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville 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