Pharmacist Salary

Fort Worth vs Houston: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Fort Worth, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Worth, TX
$139,781
$67.20/hr
Houston, TX
$143,041
$68.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Worth, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$139,781$143,041
Hourly Rate$67.20$68.78
Entry Level (P10)$98,226$84,723
25th Percentile$127,628$129,395
75th Percentile$166,316$166,502
Top Earner (P90)$183,483$173,284
Total Employed2196,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Worth ($139,781) and Houston ($143,041) pharmacist salaries.Fort WorthHoustonMedian Salary$139,781$143,041Entry Level (P10)$98,226$84,723Top Earner (P90)$183,483$173,284US Median $143,489

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Worth.

The salary gap between Fort Worth and Houston is $3,260 (2.33%). Houston's median is -0.31% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Worth spans $85,257,Houston spans $88,561. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Fort Worth
P10 (Entry)$98,226
P25$127,628
Median$139,781
P75$166,316
P90 (Top)$183,483
Houston
P10 (Entry)$84,723
P25$129,395
Median$143,041
P75$166,502
P90 (Top)$173,284

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Worth ($145,605 effective) pays 0.40% more than Houston ($145,029 effective).

Fort Worth
Nominal: $139,781
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $145,605
Houston
Nominal: $143,041
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $145,029

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Worth if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($183,483)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $145,605)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,041/year)
  • Larger job market (6,410 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Fort Worth grew 1.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.8% growth in Houston over the same period.

Fort Worth, TX

+1.0%

$135,965 (2024) → $137,269 (2025)

Houston, TX

+7.8%

$130,320 (2019) → $140,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Fort Worth or Houston?

Houston has a higher median pharmacist salary at $143,041/year, compared to Fort Worth at $139,781/year — a difference of $3,260 (2.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Worth and Houston?

Fort Worth pharmacists earn $67.20/hr while Houston hygienists earn $68.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Worth to Houston as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Worth and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Worth = $145,605, Houston = $145,029), job availability (219 vs 6,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Fort Worth vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $98,226 in Fort Worth and $84,723 in Houston. The Fort Worth 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