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 99.6 — 0% 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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
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 Biddeford
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 $135,215 — 5.77% below the national median.
Return on Investment
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,198 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,201 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,886 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,027 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,876 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,417 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Biddeford 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 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.
More salary data for Biddeford, ME:
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 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).
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