Pharmacist Salary

Eden Prairie vs Rochester: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Eden Prairie, MN and Rochester, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eden Prairie, MN
$161,836
$77.81/hr
Rochester, MN
$167,256
$80.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEden Prairie, MNRochester, MN
Median Salary$161,836$167,256
Hourly Rate$77.81$80.42
Entry Level (P10)$113,797$133,102
25th Percentile$147,328$167,256
75th Percentile$183,894$180,046
Top Earner (P90)$194,990$181,125
Total Employed11440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eden Prairie ($161,836) and Rochester ($167,256) pharmacist salaries.Eden PrairieRochesterMedian Salary$161,836$167,256Entry Level (P10)$113,797$133,102Top Earner (P90)$194,990$181,125US Median $143,489

Verdict

Rochester, MN offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Eden Prairie.

The salary gap between Eden Prairie and Rochester is $5,420 (3.35%). Rochester's median is +16.56% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eden Prairie spans $81,193,Rochester spans $48,023. Eden Prairie has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Eden Prairie
P10 (Entry)$113,797
P25$147,328
Median$161,836
P75$183,894
P90 (Top)$194,990
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$133,102
P25$167,256
Median$167,256
P75$180,046
P90 (Top)$181,125

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($184,160 effective) pays 12.09% more than Eden Prairie ($164,301 effective).

Eden Prairie
Nominal: $161,836
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $164,301
Rochester
Nominal: $167,256
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $184,160

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eden Prairie if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($194,990)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($167,256/year)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $184,160)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Eden Prairie grew 15.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.0% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Eden Prairie, MN

+15.5%

$137,590 (2024) → $158,928 (2025)

Rochester, MN

+14.0%

$144,050 (2019) → $164,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Eden Prairie or Rochester?

Rochester has a higher median pharmacist salary at $167,256/year, compared to Eden Prairie at $161,836/year — a difference of $5,420 (3.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eden Prairie and Rochester?

Eden Prairie pharmacists earn $77.81/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $80.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eden Prairie to Rochester as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eden Prairie and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eden Prairie = $164,301, Rochester = $184,160), job availability (11 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Eden Prairie vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $113,797 in Eden Prairie and $133,102 in Rochester. The Rochester 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