Pharmacist Salary

Lynchburg vs Richmond: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Lynchburg, VA
$146,727
$70.54/hr
Richmond, VA
$147,592
$70.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLynchburg, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$146,727$147,592
Hourly Rate$70.54$70.96
Entry Level (P10)$113,663$108,255
25th Percentile$132,481$131,809
75th Percentile$164,221$159,873
Top Earner (P90)$166,553$168,722
Total Employed1901,350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lynchburg ($146,727) and Richmond ($147,592) pharmacist salaries.LynchburgRichmondMedian Salary$146,727$147,592Entry Level (P10)$113,663$108,255Top Earner (P90)$166,553$168,722US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lynchburg and Richmond is $865 (0.59%). Richmond's median is +2.86% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lynchburg spans $52,890,Richmond spans $60,467. Richmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Lynchburg
P10 (Entry)$113,663
P25$132,481
Median$146,727
P75$164,221
P90 (Top)$166,553
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$108,255
P25$131,809
Median$147,592
P75$159,873
P90 (Top)$168,722

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lynchburg ($164,192 effective) pays 8.86% more than Richmond ($150,823 effective).

Lynchburg
Nominal: $146,727
CoL Index: 89.363
Adjusted: $164,192
Richmond
Nominal: $147,592
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $150,823

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lynchburg if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $164,192)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($147,592/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($168,722)
  • Larger job market (1,350 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Lynchburg grew 4.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.0% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Lynchburg, VA

+4.6%

$137,720 (2019) → $144,090 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+6.0%

$136,740 (2019) → $144,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Lynchburg or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median pharmacist salary at $147,592/year, compared to Lynchburg at $146,727/year — a difference of $865 (0.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lynchburg and Richmond?

Lynchburg pharmacists earn $70.54/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $70.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lynchburg to Richmond as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lynchburg and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lynchburg = $164,192, Richmond = $150,823), job availability (190 vs 1,350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Lynchburg vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $113,663 in Lynchburg and $108,255 in Richmond. The Lynchburg 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