Pharmacist Salary

Raleigh vs Statesville: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Raleigh, NC and Statesville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raleigh, NC
$135,556
$65.17/hr
Statesville, NC
$138,530
$66.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCStatesville, NC
Median Salary$135,556$138,530
Hourly Rate$65.17$66.60
Entry Level (P10)$103,581$100,549
25th Percentile$131,310$128,032
75th Percentile$160,647$157,952
Top Earner (P90)$168,081$167,212
Total Employed1,7307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($135,556) and Statesville ($138,530) pharmacist salaries.RaleighStatesvilleMedian Salary$135,556$138,530Entry Level (P10)$103,581$100,549Top Earner (P90)$168,081$167,212US Median $143,489

Verdict

Raleigh and Statesville are closely matched on overall pharmacist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Statesville is $2,974 (2.19%). Statesville's median is -3.46% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raleigh spans $64,500,Statesville spans $66,663. Statesville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$103,581
P25$131,310
Median$135,556
P75$160,647
P90 (Top)$168,081
Statesville
P10 (Entry)$100,549
P25$128,032
Median$138,530
P75$157,952
P90 (Top)$167,212

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Statesville ($148,002 effective) pays 7.17% more than Raleigh ($138,101 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $135,556
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $138,101
Statesville
Nominal: $138,530
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $148,002

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($168,081)
  • Larger job market (1,730 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Statesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($138,530/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,002)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Raleigh grew 6.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.7% growth in Statesville over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+6.7%

$124,710 (2019) → $133,120 (2025)

Statesville, NC

+12.7%

$120,669 (2024) → $136,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Raleigh or Statesville?

Statesville has a higher median pharmacist salary at $138,530/year, compared to Raleigh at $135,556/year — a difference of $2,974 (2.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Statesville?

Raleigh pharmacists earn $65.17/hr while Statesville hygienists earn $66.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Statesville as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Statesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $138,101, Statesville = $148,002), job availability (1,730 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Raleigh vs Statesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $103,581 in Raleigh and $100,549 in Statesville. The Raleigh area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SC

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