Pharmacist Salary

Charlotte vs Wilson: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$153,336
$73.72/hr
Wilson, NC
$133,912
$64.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCWilson, NC
Median Salary$153,336$133,912
Hourly Rate$73.72$64.38
Entry Level (P10)$93,449$100,714
25th Percentile$134,212$126,362
75th Percentile$170,168$155,409
Top Earner (P90)$177,113$160,703
Total Employed2,5307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($153,336) and Wilson ($133,912) pharmacist salaries.CharlotteWilsonMedian Salary$153,336$133,912Entry Level (P10)$93,449$100,714Top Earner (P90)$177,113$160,703US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Wilson is $19,424 (14.51%). 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,Wilson spans $59,989. 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
Wilson
P10 (Entry)$100,714
P25$126,362
Median$133,912
P75$155,409
P90 (Top)$160,703

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($157,513 effective) pays 10.10% more than Wilson ($143,068 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $153,336
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $157,513
Wilson
Nominal: $133,912
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $143,068

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 Wilson 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 12.7% growth in Wilson over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+16.5%

$129,280 (2019) → $150,580 (2025)

Wilson, NC

+12.7%

$116,646 (2024) → $131,505 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Charlotte or Wilson?

Charlotte has a higher median pharmacist salary at $153,336/year, compared to Wilson at $133,912/year — a difference of $19,424 (14.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Wilson?

Charlotte pharmacists earn $73.72/hr while Wilson hygienists earn $64.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Wilson as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Wilson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $157,513, Wilson = $143,068), job availability (2,530 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $93,449 in Charlotte and $100,714 in Wilson. The Wilson 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