Pharmacist Salary

Falls Church vs Virginia Beach: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Falls Church, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Falls Church, VA
$127,959
$61.52/hr
Virginia Beach, VA
$138,774
$66.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFalls Church, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Median Salary$127,959$138,774
Hourly Rate$61.52$66.72
Entry Level (P10)$97,705$111,820
25th Percentile$121,490$128,408
75th Percentile$142,184$160,230
Top Earner (P90)$147,347$169,445
Total Employed51,470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Falls Church ($127,959) and Virginia Beach ($138,774) pharmacist salaries.Falls ChurchVirginia BeachMedian Salary$127,959$138,774Entry Level (P10)$97,705$111,820Top Earner (P90)$147,347$169,445US Median $143,489

Verdict

Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Falls Church.

The salary gap between Falls Church and Virginia Beach is $10,815 (8.45%). Virginia Beach's median is -3.29% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Falls Church spans $49,642,Virginia Beach spans $57,625. Virginia Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Falls Church
P10 (Entry)$97,705
P25$121,490
Median$127,959
P75$142,184
P90 (Top)$147,347
Virginia Beach
P10 (Entry)$111,820
P25$128,408
Median$138,774
P75$160,230
P90 (Top)$169,445

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($141,691 effective) pays 14.28% more than Falls Church ($123,991 effective).

Falls Church
Nominal: $127,959
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $123,991
Virginia Beach
Nominal: $138,774
CoL Index: 97.941
Adjusted: $141,691

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Falls Church if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($138,774/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($169,445)
  • Larger job market (1,470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $141,691)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Falls Church grew 0.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.2% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.

Falls Church, VA

+0.0%

$125,607 (2024) → $125,659 (2025)

Virginia Beach, VA

+2.2%

$133,310 (2019) → $136,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Falls Church or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a higher median pharmacist salary at $138,774/year, compared to Falls Church at $127,959/year — a difference of $10,815 (8.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Falls Church and Virginia Beach?

Falls Church pharmacists earn $61.52/hr while Virginia Beach hygienists earn $66.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Falls Church to Virginia Beach as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Falls Church and Virginia Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Falls Church = $123,991, Virginia Beach = $141,691), job availability (5 vs 1,470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Falls Church vs Virginia Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $97,705 in Falls Church and $111,820 in Virginia Beach. The Virginia Beach 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