Pharmacist Salary

Houston vs Huntsville: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$143,041
$68.78/hr
Huntsville, TX
$137,411
$66.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXHuntsville, TX
Median Salary$143,041$137,411
Hourly Rate$68.78$66.07
Entry Level (P10)$84,723$96,220
25th Percentile$129,395$124,401
75th Percentile$166,502$151,403
Top Earner (P90)$173,284$169,850
Total Employed6,41011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($143,041) and Huntsville ($137,411) pharmacist salaries.HoustonHuntsvilleMedian Salary$143,041$137,411Entry Level (P10)$84,723$96,220Top Earner (P90)$173,284$169,850US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Huntsville is $5,630 (4.10%). 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 Houston spans $88,561,Huntsville spans $73,630. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$84,723
P25$129,395
Median$143,041
P75$166,502
P90 (Top)$173,284
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$96,220
P25$124,401
Median$137,411
P75$151,403
P90 (Top)$169,850

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($145,029 effective) pays 1.32% more than Huntsville ($143,136 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $143,041
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $145,029
Huntsville
Nominal: $137,411
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $143,136

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,041/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($173,284)
  • Larger job market (6,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $145,029)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Houston grew 7.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.0% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Houston, TX

+7.8%

$130,320 (2019) → $140,470 (2025)

Huntsville, TX

+9.0%

$123,759 (2024) → $134,942 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Houston or Huntsville?

Houston has a higher median pharmacist salary at $143,041/year, compared to Huntsville at $137,411/year — a difference of $5,630 (4.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Huntsville?

Houston pharmacists earn $68.78/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $66.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Huntsville as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $145,029, Huntsville = $143,136), job availability (6,410 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Houston vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $84,723 in Houston and $96,220 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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