Pharmacist Salary

Roanoke vs Williamsburg: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Roanoke, VA
$136,432
$65.59/hr
Williamsburg, VA
$131,413
$63.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VAWilliamsburg, VA
Median Salary$136,432$131,413
Hourly Rate$65.59$63.18
Entry Level (P10)$102,563$95,082
25th Percentile$124,273$120,945
75th Percentile$157,877$142,622
Top Earner (P90)$171,370$157,550
Total Employed3605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($136,432) and Williamsburg ($131,413) pharmacist salaries.RoanokeWilliamsburgMedian Salary$136,432$131,413Entry Level (P10)$102,563$95,082Top Earner (P90)$171,370$157,550US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Roanoke and Williamsburg is $5,019 (3.82%). Roanoke's median is -4.92% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $68,807,Williamsburg spans $62,468. Roanoke has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$102,563
P25$124,273
Median$136,432
P75$157,877
P90 (Top)$171,370
Williamsburg
P10 (Entry)$95,082
P25$120,945
Median$131,413
P75$142,622
P90 (Top)$157,550

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($145,733 effective) pays 14.45% more than Williamsburg ($127,338 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $136,432
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $145,733
Williamsburg
Nominal: $131,413
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $127,338

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,432/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($171,370)
  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $145,733)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Williamsburg if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Roanoke grew 5.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.0% growth in Williamsburg over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+5.2%

$127,310 (2019) → $133,980 (2025)

Williamsburg, VA

+0.0%

$128,998 (2024) → $129,051 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Roanoke or Williamsburg?

Roanoke has a higher median pharmacist salary at $136,432/year, compared to Williamsburg at $131,413/year — a difference of $5,019 (3.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Williamsburg?

Roanoke pharmacists earn $65.59/hr while Williamsburg hygienists earn $63.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roanoke to Williamsburg as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Williamsburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $145,733, Williamsburg = $127,338), job availability (360 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Roanoke vs Williamsburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $102,563 in Roanoke and $95,082 in Williamsburg. The Roanoke 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