Pharmacist Salary

Shawnee vs Wichita: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Shawnee, KS and Wichita, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shawnee, KS
$127,148
$61.13/hr
Wichita, KS
$145,006
$69.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShawnee, KSWichita, KS
Median Salary$127,148$145,006
Hourly Rate$61.13$69.71
Entry Level (P10)$92,026$109,192
25th Percentile$117,617$130,078
75th Percentile$146,492$163,783
Top Earner (P90)$156,389$168,977
Total Employed11580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shawnee ($127,148) and Wichita ($145,006) pharmacist salaries.ShawneeWichitaMedian Salary$127,148$145,006Entry Level (P10)$92,026$109,192Top Earner (P90)$156,389$168,977US Median $143,489

Verdict

Wichita, KS offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shawnee.

The salary gap between Shawnee and Wichita is $17,858 (14.05%). Wichita's median is +1.06% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shawnee spans $64,363,Wichita spans $59,785. Shawnee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shawnee
P10 (Entry)$92,026
P25$117,617
Median$127,148
P75$146,492
P90 (Top)$156,389
Wichita
P10 (Entry)$109,192
P25$130,078
Median$145,006
P75$163,783
P90 (Top)$168,977

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wichita ($163,027 effective) pays 16.55% more than Shawnee ($139,877 effective).

Shawnee
Nominal: $127,148
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $139,877
Wichita
Nominal: $145,006
CoL Index: 88.946
Adjusted: $163,027

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shawnee if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Wichita if…

  • Higher median salary ($145,006/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($168,977)
  • Larger job market (580 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $163,027)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Shawnee grew 10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.6% growth in Wichita over the same period.

Shawnee, KS

+10.1%

$113,424 (2024) → $124,863 (2025)

Wichita, KS

+10.6%

$128,790 (2019) → $142,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Shawnee or Wichita?

Wichita has a higher median pharmacist salary at $145,006/year, compared to Shawnee at $127,148/year — a difference of $17,858 (14.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shawnee and Wichita?

Shawnee pharmacists earn $61.13/hr while Wichita hygienists earn $69.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shawnee to Wichita as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shawnee and Wichita. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shawnee = $139,877, Wichita = $163,027), job availability (11 vs 580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Shawnee vs Wichita?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $92,026 in Shawnee and $109,192 in Wichita. The Wichita 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