Pharmacist Salary

El Mirage vs Phoenix: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between El Mirage, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

El Mirage, AZ
$150,625
$72.41/hr
Phoenix, AZ
$147,134
$70.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEl Mirage, AZPhoenix, AZ
Median Salary$150,625$147,134
Hourly Rate$72.41$70.73
Entry Level (P10)$103,664$107,858
25th Percentile$144,202$136,167
75th Percentile$173,338$164,140
Top Earner (P90)$184,430$174,292
Total Employed85,050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing El Mirage ($150,625) and Phoenix ($147,134) pharmacist salaries.El MiragePhoenixMedian Salary$150,625$147,134Entry Level (P10)$103,664$107,858Top Earner (P90)$184,430$174,292US Median $143,489

Verdict

El Mirage, AZ offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Phoenix.

The salary gap between El Mirage and Phoenix is $3,491 (2.37%). El Mirage's median is +4.97% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in El Mirage spans $80,766,Phoenix spans $66,434. El Mirage has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

El Mirage
P10 (Entry)$103,664
P25$144,202
Median$150,625
P75$173,338
P90 (Top)$184,430
Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$107,858
P25$136,167
Median$147,134
P75$164,140
P90 (Top)$174,292

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, El Mirage ($152,919 effective) pays 7.38% more than Phoenix ($142,412 effective).

El Mirage
Nominal: $150,625
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $152,919
Phoenix
Nominal: $147,134
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $142,412

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose El Mirage if…

  • Higher median salary ($150,625/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($184,430)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $152,919)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Larger job market (5,050 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in El Mirage grew 12.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.2% growth in Phoenix over the same period.

El Mirage, AZ

+12.2%

$131,794 (2024) → $147,918 (2025)

Phoenix, AZ

+13.2%

$127,620 (2019) → $144,490 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: El Mirage or Phoenix?

El Mirage has a higher median pharmacist salary at $150,625/year, compared to Phoenix at $147,134/year — a difference of $3,491 (2.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between El Mirage and Phoenix?

El Mirage pharmacists earn $72.41/hr while Phoenix hygienists earn $70.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from El Mirage to Phoenix as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing El Mirage and Phoenix. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: El Mirage = $152,919, Phoenix = $142,412), job availability (8 vs 5,050 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in El Mirage vs Phoenix?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $103,664 in El Mirage and $107,858 in Phoenix. The Phoenix area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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