Pharmacist Salary

Cincinnati vs Akron: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Akron, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$142,766
$68.63/hr
Akron, OH
$140,250
$67.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHAkron, OH
Median Salary$142,766$140,250
Hourly Rate$68.63$67.43
Entry Level (P10)$104,478$52,554
25th Percentile$133,397$131,422
75th Percentile$162,409$159,822
Top Earner (P90)$172,897$165,229
Total Employed2,380710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($142,766) and Akron ($140,250) pharmacist salaries.CincinnatiAkronMedian Salary$142,766$140,250Entry Level (P10)$104,478$52,554Top Earner (P90)$172,897$165,229US Median $143,489

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Akron.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Akron is $2,516 (1.79%). Cincinnati's median is -0.50% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $68,419,Akron spans $112,675. Akron has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$104,478
P25$133,397
Median$142,766
P75$162,409
P90 (Top)$172,897
Akron
P10 (Entry)$52,554
P25$131,422
Median$140,250
P75$159,822
P90 (Top)$165,229

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Akron ($150,209 effective) pays 0.34% more than Cincinnati ($149,697 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $142,766
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $149,697
Akron
Nominal: $140,250
CoL Index: 93.37
Adjusted: $150,209

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($142,766/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($172,897)
  • Larger job market (2,380 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Akron if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $150,209)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Cincinnati grew 9.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.4% growth in Akron over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+9.7%

$127,800 (2019) → $140,200 (2025)

Akron, OH

+20.4%

$114,350 (2019) → $137,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Cincinnati or Akron?

Cincinnati has a higher median pharmacist salary at $142,766/year, compared to Akron at $140,250/year — a difference of $2,516 (1.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Akron?

Cincinnati pharmacists earn $68.63/hr while Akron hygienists earn $67.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Akron as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Akron. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $149,697, Akron = $150,209), job availability (2,380 vs 710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Cincinnati vs Akron?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $104,478 in Cincinnati and $52,554 in Akron. The Cincinnati 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