Pharmacist Salary

Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in Biddeford, ME: $97,631 (2026)

Quick Answer:New pharmacists entering the Biddeford, ME job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $97,631 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Biddeford's local price level (BEA RPP 99.60% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $98,023 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($135,215) within a few years of clinical practice.

$97,631
Starting Salary
$46.93/hr
Starting Hourly
$97,631
Entry Level
$135,215
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Pharmacist Entry Level Salary in Biddeford, ME — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Biddeford, ME pharmacist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

New graduates considering a pharmacist career in Biddeford, Maine, can expect an entry-level pharmacist salary starting around $97,631 in 2026. This figure, although modest compared to the city's median salary of $135,215, sets a foundation for growth as experience and responsibilities build over time. Within their first three to five years, newly minted pharmacists can reasonably anticipate salary increases that could see their pay rise toward the $124,297 mark for the 25th percentile, gradually moving closer to the median. Overall, Biddeford currently represents a viable market for recent pharmacy graduates, given its competitive starting compensation and a projected annual growth rate of 1.83%.

About the Biddeford Market

Salary estimated from Maine average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Biddeford

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$97,631/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$124,297/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$135,215/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$149,278/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Biddeford

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for pharmacists in Biddeford. The median salary is $135,215, compared to the national median of $143,489.$87.9K$106.4K$124.9K$143.3K$161.8K$97.6K10th Pctl$124.3K25th Pctl$135.2KMedian$149.3K75th Pctl$154.1K90th PctlUS Median$143.5K

Entry-level pharmacists in Biddeford, ME typically start between $97,631 and $124,297 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $56,506 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $135,2155.77% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of pharmacist pay in the Biddeford metro area.

Return on Investment

$150,000
Avg ME Program Cost
$97,631
Starting Salary
153.64%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
1.5 yr
Payback Estimate

The average pharmacy program cost in Maine of $150,000 represents just 153.64% of the starting pharmacist pay ($97,631/year) in Biddeford. 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 Biddeford

  • 1Research the Biddeford market: entry-level pharmacist pay ranges from $97,631 to $124,297, 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 ME often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Biddeford, 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 Biddeford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Biddeford'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 Biddeford is $56,506 ( 57.88%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $97,631, experienced hygienists can earn up to $154,137.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$85,360

2025 BLS Actual

$95,876

2026 Current Est.

$97,631

2019–2027 Growth

+16.5%

Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Biddeford (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for pharmacists in Biddeford. Baseline $85,360 in 2025, projected to $99,417 by 2027.$69.2K$78.0K$86.8K$95.6K$104.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$85.4K$82.3K$74.2K$77.2K$86.9K$79.0K$95.9K$97.6K$99.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$85,360Actual
2020$82,280Actual
2021$74,198Actual
2022$77,201Actual
2023$86,886Actual
2024$79,027Actual
2025$95,876Actual
2026(current)$97,631Estimated
2027$99,417Projected

Entry-level pharmacist compensation (10th percentile) in Biddeford, ME grew 12.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $85,360 in 2019 to $95,876 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $99,417. New graduates entering the Biddeford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Biddeford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Biddeford

Those newly entering the profession in Biddeford should consider various employment avenues. Local hospital systems are noteworthy employers, often offering PGY-1 residencies for clinical roles, which can significantly enhance future job prospects. For graduates directly entering retail, major pharmacy chains are still prevalent, although recent reductions in sign-on bonuses signify a shift from the hiring incentives of previous years. Credentials certainly matter; obtaining a PharmD from an ACPE-accredited program, along with passing the NAPLEX and MPJE, is essential. Engaging in continuing education and pursuing BPS board certifications can also positively influence starting salaries. Given the contraction of the retail pharmacy market and the rise of hospital and specialty roles, new pharmacists must remain adaptable and eager to embrace evolving responsibilities in areas such as vaccinations and point-of-care testing to ensure career growth. Realistically, as they build their capabilities and navigate their first few years, they could see their salaries reflect substantial increments as they accumulate experience and possibly pursue additional residencies or certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for pharmacists in Biddeford in 2026?

Entry-level pharmacists in Biddeford start at approximately $97,631/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 1.83% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $46.94/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do pharmacist salaries grow in Biddeford?

Most pharmacists in Biddeford progress from the entry-level salary of $97,631 to the area median of $135,215 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $154,137 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is pharmacy school worth it in Biddeford?

With a starting salary of $97,631/year in Biddeford and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new pharmacists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new pharmacists make right out of school in Biddeford?

New pharmacy graduates in Biddeford typically start near the 10th percentile at $97,631/year, or approximately $46.94/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a pharmacist in Maine?

To become a licensed pharmacist in Maine, you typically need doctor of pharmacy (pharmd) degree is required to practice as a pharmacist., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Maine, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some pharmacists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Maine

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

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 Biddeford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Biddeford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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