Pharmacist Salary

Ellicott City vs Hagerstown: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Ellicott City, MD and Hagerstown, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ellicott City, MD
$157,508
$75.72/hr
Hagerstown, MD
$139,477
$67.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEllicott City, MDHagerstown, MD
Median Salary$157,508$139,477
Hourly Rate$75.72$67.06
Entry Level (P10)$108,899$99,427
25th Percentile$141,875$117,553
75th Percentile$177,402$160,352
Top Earner (P90)$187,759$167,948
Total Employed15240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ellicott City ($157,508) and Hagerstown ($139,477) pharmacist salaries.Ellicott CityHagerstownMedian Salary$157,508$139,477Entry Level (P10)$108,899$99,427Top Earner (P90)$187,759$167,948US Median $143,489

Verdict

Ellicott City, MD offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hagerstown.

The salary gap between Ellicott City and Hagerstown is $18,031 (12.93%). Ellicott City's median is +9.77% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ellicott City spans $78,860,Hagerstown spans $68,521. Ellicott City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ellicott City
P10 (Entry)$108,899
P25$141,875
Median$157,508
P75$177,402
P90 (Top)$187,759
Hagerstown
P10 (Entry)$99,427
P25$117,553
Median$139,477
P75$160,352
P90 (Top)$167,948

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hagerstown ($148,110 effective) pays 2.78% more than Ellicott City ($144,106 effective).

Ellicott City
Nominal: $157,508
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $144,106
Hagerstown
Nominal: $139,477
CoL Index: 94.171
Adjusted: $148,110

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ellicott City if…

  • Higher median salary ($157,508/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($187,759)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Hagerstown if…

  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,110)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Ellicott City grew 4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.5% growth in Hagerstown over the same period.

Ellicott City, MD

+4.4%

$148,189 (2024) → $154,677 (2025)

Hagerstown, MD

+5.5%

$129,860 (2019) → $136,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Ellicott City or Hagerstown?

Ellicott City has a higher median pharmacist salary at $157,508/year, compared to Hagerstown at $139,477/year — a difference of $18,031 (12.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ellicott City and Hagerstown?

Ellicott City pharmacists earn $75.72/hr while Hagerstown hygienists earn $67.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ellicott City to Hagerstown as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ellicott City and Hagerstown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ellicott City = $144,106, Hagerstown = $148,110), job availability (15 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Ellicott City vs Hagerstown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $108,899 in Ellicott City and $99,427 in Hagerstown. The Ellicott City 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