Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in Braintree, MA: $103,641 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacists entering the Braintree, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $103,641 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Braintree's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $95,522 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,557) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the pharmacy field in Braintree, Massachusetts, should have realistic expectations about their starting salary. In 2026, the projected starting pay for an entry-level pharmacist at the 10th percentile (P10) is $103,641. This amounts to a significant gap of over $32,000 when compared to the city's median annual salary of $136,557. However, the growth trajectory is promising; pharmacists can expect their earnings to rise to around $129,976 within just a few years, bridging the gap toward the median salary as they gain experience. For recent pharmacy graduates, Braintree presents a favorable market, especially considering its competitive salary range, which offers a solid foundation for newly licensed professionals embarking on their careers.
About the Braintree Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Braintree
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 Braintree
Entry-level pharmacists in Braintree, MA typically start between $103,641 and $129,976 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $62,356 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,557 — 4.83% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Massachusetts of $195,000 represents just 188.15% of the starting pharmacist pay ($103,641/year) in Braintree. 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 Braintree
- 1Research the Braintree market: entry-level pharmacist pay ranges from $103,641 to $129,976, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Braintree, 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 Braintree for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Braintree'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 Braintree is $62,356 ( 60.17%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $103,641, experienced hygienists can earn up to $165,997.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$90,615
2025 BLS Actual
$101,778
2026 Current Est.
$103,641
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Braintree (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,615 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,345 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,765 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,953 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,235 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,778 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,641 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,537 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacist compensation (10th percentile) in Braintree, MA grew 12.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $90,615 in 2019 to $101,778 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $105,537. New graduates entering the Braintree job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Braintree 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 Braintree
When looking for employment opportunities in Braintree, new graduate pharmacists will find a diverse array of hiring organizations, including hospital systems that offer PGY-1 residency programs for those seeking clinical roles. Retail pharmacy chains, which hire the majority of non-residency new graduates, are offering attractive benefits like sign-on bonuses, though these incentives have diminished since their peak in 2021-2022. To enhance their starting pay, graduates should focus on obtaining their PharmD from an ACPE-accredited program, passing the NAPLEX and MPJE exams, and securing state licensure. While expanding vaccination services and point-of-care testing have reshaped retail pharmacy practice, the demand for residency-trained pharmacists is increasing in hospitals and specialty settings. New pharmacists can expect salary growth over their first three years, particularly by pursuing additional credentials such as BPS board certifications, as these qualifications are becoming essential for upward mobility in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Braintree, MA:
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 Braintree. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Braintree 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