Pharmacist Salary

Palm Coast vs Tampa: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Palm Coast, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Palm Coast, FL
$137,418
$66.07/hr
Tampa, FL
$140,515
$67.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPalm Coast, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$137,418$140,515
Hourly Rate$66.07$67.55
Entry Level (P10)$94,058$53,695
25th Percentile$123,067$130,790
75th Percentile$154,063$160,342
Top Earner (P90)$176,364$171,981
Total Employed123,460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Palm Coast ($137,418) and Tampa ($140,515) pharmacist salaries.Palm CoastTampaMedian Salary$137,418$140,515Entry Level (P10)$94,058$53,695Top Earner (P90)$176,364$171,981US Median $143,489

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Palm Coast.

The salary gap between Palm Coast and Tampa is $3,097 (2.25%). Tampa's median is -2.07% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Palm Coast spans $82,306,Tampa spans $118,286. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Palm Coast
P10 (Entry)$94,058
P25$123,067
Median$137,418
P75$154,063
P90 (Top)$176,364
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$53,695
P25$130,790
Median$140,515
P75$160,342
P90 (Top)$171,981

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($139,275 effective) pays 2.16% more than Palm Coast ($136,327 effective).

Palm Coast
Nominal: $137,418
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $136,327
Tampa
Nominal: $140,515
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $139,275

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Palm Coast if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($176,364)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($140,515/year)
  • Larger job market (3,460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,275)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Palm Coast grew 4.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.8% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Palm Coast, FL

+4.6%

$129,026 (2024) → $134,948 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+7.8%

$127,980 (2019) → $137,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Palm Coast or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median pharmacist salary at $140,515/year, compared to Palm Coast at $137,418/year — a difference of $3,097 (2.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Palm Coast and Tampa?

Palm Coast pharmacists earn $66.07/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $67.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Palm Coast to Tampa as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Palm Coast and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Palm Coast = $136,327, Tampa = $139,275), job availability (12 vs 3,460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Palm Coast vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $94,058 in Palm Coast and $53,695 in Tampa. The Palm Coast 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