Pharmacist Salary

Herndon vs Roanoke: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Herndon, VA and Roanoke, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Herndon, VA
$129,993
$62.49/hr
Roanoke, VA
$136,432
$65.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHerndon, VARoanoke, VA
Median Salary$129,993$136,432
Hourly Rate$62.49$65.59
Entry Level (P10)$102,144$102,563
25th Percentile$125,932$124,273
75th Percentile$142,001$157,877
Top Earner (P90)$145,740$171,370
Total Employed5360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Herndon ($129,993) and Roanoke ($136,432) pharmacist salaries.HerndonRoanokeMedian Salary$129,993$136,432Entry Level (P10)$102,144$102,563Top Earner (P90)$145,740$171,370US Median $143,489

Verdict

Roanoke, VA offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Herndon.

The salary gap between Herndon and Roanoke is $6,439 (4.95%). Roanoke's median is -4.92% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Herndon spans $43,596,Roanoke spans $68,807. Roanoke has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Herndon
P10 (Entry)$102,144
P25$125,932
Median$129,993
P75$142,001
P90 (Top)$145,740
Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$102,563
P25$124,273
Median$136,432
P75$157,877
P90 (Top)$171,370

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($145,733 effective) pays 15.70% more than Herndon ($125,962 effective).

Herndon
Nominal: $129,993
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $125,962
Roanoke
Nominal: $136,432
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $145,733

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Herndon if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,432/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($171,370)
  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $145,733)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Herndon grew 0.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.2% growth in Roanoke over the same period.

Herndon, VA

+0.0%

$127,605 (2024) → $127,657 (2025)

Roanoke, VA

+5.2%

$127,310 (2019) → $133,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Herndon or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a higher median pharmacist salary at $136,432/year, compared to Herndon at $129,993/year — a difference of $6,439 (4.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Herndon and Roanoke?

Herndon pharmacists earn $62.49/hr while Roanoke hygienists earn $65.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Herndon to Roanoke as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Herndon and Roanoke. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Herndon = $125,962, Roanoke = $145,733), job availability (5 vs 360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Herndon vs Roanoke?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $102,144 in Herndon and $102,563 in Roanoke. The Roanoke 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