Pharmacist Salary

Port Arthur vs San Antonio: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Port Arthur, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Port Arthur, TX
$143,298
$68.90/hr
San Antonio, TX
$153,254
$73.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPort Arthur, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$143,298$153,254
Hourly Rate$68.90$73.68
Entry Level (P10)$101,018$98,439
25th Percentile$130,534$135,383
75th Percentile$162,857$161,777
Top Earner (P90)$173,251$170,158
Total Employed122,260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Port Arthur ($143,298) and San Antonio ($153,254) pharmacist salaries.Port ArthurSan AntonioMedian Salary$143,298$153,254Entry Level (P10)$101,018$98,439Top Earner (P90)$173,251$170,158US Median $143,489

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Port Arthur.

The salary gap between Port Arthur and San Antonio is $9,956 (6.95%). San Antonio's median is +6.81% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Port Arthur spans $72,233,San Antonio spans $71,719. Port Arthur has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Port Arthur
P10 (Entry)$101,018
P25$130,534
Median$143,298
P75$162,857
P90 (Top)$173,251
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$98,439
P25$135,383
Median$153,254
P75$161,777
P90 (Top)$170,158

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($161,804 effective) pays 8.40% more than Port Arthur ($149,269 effective).

Port Arthur
Nominal: $143,298
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $149,269
San Antonio
Nominal: $153,254
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $161,804

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Port Arthur if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($173,251)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($153,254/year)
  • Larger job market (2,260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $161,804)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Port Arthur grew 9.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.5% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Port Arthur, TX

+9.7%

$128,328 (2024) → $140,723 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+17.5%

$128,080 (2019) → $150,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Port Arthur or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median pharmacist salary at $153,254/year, compared to Port Arthur at $143,298/year — a difference of $9,956 (6.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Port Arthur and San Antonio?

Port Arthur pharmacists earn $68.90/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $73.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Port Arthur to San Antonio as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Port Arthur and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Port Arthur = $149,269, San Antonio = $161,804), job availability (12 vs 2,260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Port Arthur vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $101,018 in Port Arthur and $98,439 in San Antonio. The Port Arthur 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