Pharmacist Salary

Milwaukee vs Racine: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Racine, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$156,146
$75.07/hr
Racine, WI
$146,727
$70.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIRacine, WI
Median Salary$156,146$146,727
Hourly Rate$75.07$70.54
Entry Level (P10)$122,807$110,760
25th Percentile$135,841$133,234
75th Percentile$173,498$171,869
Top Earner (P90)$184,221$174,669
Total Employed1,760120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($156,146) and Racine ($146,727) pharmacist salaries.MilwaukeeRacineMedian Salary$156,146$146,727Entry Level (P10)$122,807$110,760Top Earner (P90)$184,221$174,669US Median $143,489

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Racine.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Racine is $9,419 (6.42%). Milwaukee's median is +8.82% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $61,414,Racine spans $63,909. Racine has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$122,807
P25$135,841
Median$156,146
P75$173,498
P90 (Top)$184,221
Racine
P10 (Entry)$110,760
P25$133,234
Median$146,727
P75$171,869
P90 (Top)$174,669

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($161,080 effective) pays 5.35% more than Racine ($152,903 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $156,146
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $161,080
Racine
Nominal: $146,727
CoL Index: 95.961
Adjusted: $152,903

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($156,146/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($184,221)
  • Larger job market (1,760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $161,080)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Racine if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Milwaukee grew 14.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.1% growth in Racine over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+14.0%

$134,550 (2019) → $153,340 (2025)

Racine, WI

+-0.1%

$144,280 (2019) → $144,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Milwaukee or Racine?

Milwaukee has a higher median pharmacist salary at $156,146/year, compared to Racine at $146,727/year — a difference of $9,419 (6.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Racine?

Milwaukee pharmacists earn $75.07/hr while Racine hygienists earn $70.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Racine as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Racine. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $161,080, Racine = $152,903), job availability (1,760 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Milwaukee vs Racine?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $122,807 in Milwaukee and $110,760 in Racine. The Milwaukee 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