Pharmacist Salary

Grand Rapids vs Monroe: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Grand Rapids, MI and Monroe, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grand Rapids, MI
$143,285
$68.89/hr
Monroe, MI
$132,746
$63.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MIMonroe, MI
Median Salary$143,285$132,746
Hourly Rate$68.89$63.82
Entry Level (P10)$122,043$107,034
25th Percentile$139,711$128,530
75th Percentile$164,160$137,837
Top Earner (P90)$164,853$157,511
Total Employed82060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($143,285) and Monroe ($132,746) pharmacist salaries.Grand RapidsMonroeMedian Salary$143,285$132,746Entry Level (P10)$122,043$107,034Top Earner (P90)$164,853$157,511US Median $143,489

Verdict

Grand Rapids, MI offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Monroe.

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and Monroe is $10,539 (7.94%). Grand Rapids's median is -0.14% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grand Rapids spans $42,810,Monroe spans $50,477. Monroe has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$122,043
P25$139,711
Median$143,285
P75$164,160
P90 (Top)$164,853
Monroe
P10 (Entry)$107,034
P25$128,530
Median$132,746
P75$137,837
P90 (Top)$157,511

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Rapids ($149,964 effective) pays 5.62% more than Monroe ($141,986 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $143,285
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $149,964
Monroe
Nominal: $132,746
CoL Index: 93.492
Adjusted: $141,986

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grand Rapids if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,285/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($164,853)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,964)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Monroe if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Grand Rapids grew 13.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.6% growth in Monroe over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+13.1%

$124,400 (2019) → $140,710 (2025)

Monroe, MI

+7.6%

$121,150 (2019) → $130,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Grand Rapids or Monroe?

Grand Rapids has a higher median pharmacist salary at $143,285/year, compared to Monroe at $132,746/year — a difference of $10,539 (7.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and Monroe?

Grand Rapids pharmacists earn $68.89/hr while Monroe hygienists earn $63.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grand Rapids to Monroe as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and Monroe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $149,964, Monroe = $141,986), job availability (820 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Grand Rapids vs Monroe?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $122,043 in Grand Rapids and $107,034 in Monroe. The Grand Rapids 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