Louisville/Jefferson County vs Murray: Pharmacist Salary (2026)
Compare pharmacist salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Murray, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY | Murray, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $146,554▲ | $129,296 |
| Hourly Rate | $70.46▲ | $62.16 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,488 | $101,825▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $131,951▲ | $125,013 |
| 75th Percentile | $163,834▲ | $145,788 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $176,797▲ | $152,309 |
| Total Employed | 1,830▲ | 4 |
Verdict
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Murray.
The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Murray is $17,258 (13.35%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is +2.14% compared to the US national median of $143,489.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $77,309,Murray spans $50,484. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($157,460 effective) pays 8.75% more than Murray ($144,788 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($146,554/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($176,797)
- ✓Larger job market (1,830 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $157,460)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Murray if…
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 13.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.6% growth in Murray over the same period.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$126,480 (2019) → $143,920 (2025)
Murray, KY
$104,403 (2024) → $126,972 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Murray, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays pharmacists more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Murray?
What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Murray?
Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Murray as a pharmacist?
What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Murray?
Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
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