Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in Coeur d'Alene, ID: $105,465 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacists entering the Coeur d'Alene, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $105,465 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Coeur d'Alene's local price level (BEA RPP 98.3 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $107,297 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($159,975) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting salaries for pharmacists entering the field in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, are projected to begin around $105,465 in 2026. Although this entry-level figure represents a considerable jump from the national average of $143,489—an increase by approximately 11.49%—it still falls short of the city’s median pharmacist salary of $159,975. New grads can realistically expect their pay to rise from the starting point to around $139,161 within a few years, showcasing a favorable growth trajectory for those eager to establish their careers. With a projected annual growth rate of 1.83% over the next five years, Coeur d'Alene presents a promising environment for new pharmacy professionals, particularly for those who are committed to building their skills and seeking opportunities within the healthcare system.
Career Earnings Timeline in Coeur d'Alene
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coeur d'Alene
Entry-level pharmacists in Coeur d'Alene, ID typically start between $105,465 and $139,161 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $61,027 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $159,975 — 11.49% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Idaho of $120,000 represents just 113.78% of the starting pharmacist pay ($105,465/year) in Coeur d'Alene. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACPE-accredited PharmD program data and AACP tuition survey reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type (public in-state vs. private).
PharmD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Coeur d'Alene
- 1Research the Coeur d'Alene market: entry-level pharmacist pay ranges from $105,465 to $139,161, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the pharmacy field — employers in ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Coeur d'Alene, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Coeur d'Alene for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Coeur d'Alene's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Pharmacist Compensation Range
The pharmacist wage spread in Coeur d'Alene is $61,027 ( 57.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $105,465, experienced hygienists can earn up to $166,492.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$107,520
2025 BLS Actual
$103,570
2026 Current Est.
$105,465
2019–2027 Growth
+-0.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Coeur d'Alene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,465 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,395 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacist compensation (10th percentile) in Coeur d'Alene, ID grew -3.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $107,520 in 2019 to $103,570 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $107,395. New graduates entering the Coeur d'Alene job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coeur d'Alene metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your pharmacy Career in Coeur d'Alene
In Coeur d'Alene, various employers are on the lookout for motivated new graduate pharmacists. Key players include hospital systems that offer PGY-1 residency programs for those focused on clinical pathways and retail chains that frequently recruit recent graduates, often providing sign-on bonuses. However, the trend has shifted due to recent organizational consolidations, resulting in fewer retail openings compared to previous years. Credentials significantly impact starting pay in Idaho; obtaining a PharmD from an ACPE-accredited institution, passing the NAPLEX and MPJE exams, and securing state licensure are essential steps toward enhancing earning potential. With the current contraction in the retail pharmacy market, aspiring pharmacists should consider expanding their job searches to include specialties like ambulatory care and managed care, which hold promise for growth. Realistically, those entering the pharmacy workforce can expect salaries that trend closer to regional averages within their first few years, particularly if they pursue advanced credentials or experience in residency programs.
More salary data for Coeur d'Alene, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new pharmacy graduates. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Coeur d'Alene. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov