Pharmacist Salary

Santa Fe vs Taos: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Santa Fe, NM and Taos, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Santa Fe, NM
$153,336
$73.71/hr
Taos, NM
$124,611
$59.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSanta Fe, NMTaos, NM
Median Salary$153,336$124,611
Hourly Rate$73.71$59.91
Entry Level (P10)$120,974$94,132
25th Percentile$139,293$117,967
75th Percentile$166,288$138,140
Top Earner (P90)$172,867$142,968
Total Employed1104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Santa Fe ($153,336) and Taos ($124,611) pharmacist salaries.Santa FeTaosMedian Salary$153,336$124,611Entry Level (P10)$120,974$94,132Top Earner (P90)$172,867$142,968US Median $143,489

Verdict

Santa Fe, NM offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Taos.

The salary gap between Santa Fe and Taos is $28,725 (23.05%). Santa Fe's median is +6.86% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Santa Fe spans $51,893,Taos spans $48,836. Santa Fe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Santa Fe
P10 (Entry)$120,974
P25$139,293
Median$153,336
P75$166,288
P90 (Top)$172,867
Taos
P10 (Entry)$94,132
P25$117,967
Median$124,611
P75$138,140
P90 (Top)$142,968

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Santa Fe ($155,250 effective) pays 17.61% more than Taos ($132,003 effective).

Santa Fe
Nominal: $153,336
CoL Index: 98.767
Adjusted: $155,250
Taos
Nominal: $124,611
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $132,003

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Santa Fe if…

  • Higher median salary ($153,336/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($172,867)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $155,250)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Taos if…

  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Santa Fe grew 16.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.8% growth in Taos over the same period.

Santa Fe, NM

+16.7%

$129,040 (2019) → $150,580 (2025)

Taos, NM

+6.8%

$114,634 (2024) → $122,372 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Santa Fe or Taos?

Santa Fe has a higher median pharmacist salary at $153,336/year, compared to Taos at $124,611/year — a difference of $28,725 (23.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Santa Fe and Taos?

Santa Fe pharmacists earn $73.71/hr while Taos hygienists earn $59.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Santa Fe to Taos as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Santa Fe and Taos. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Santa Fe = $155,250, Taos = $132,003), job availability (110 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Santa Fe vs Taos?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $120,974 in Santa Fe and $94,132 in Taos. The Santa Fe 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