Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in Medford, MA: $104,053 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacists entering the Medford, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $104,053 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Medford's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $95,901 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,810) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Medford, Massachusetts, new graduates entering the pharmacy field can expect a starting salary that aligns with the lower end of the spectrum, where entry-level positions offer around $104,053 annually. While this initial figure is notably less than the $139,810 median salary for pharmacists in the area, it reflects a realistic expectation for those just beginning their careers. Over the first few years, recent graduates can anticipate a growth trajectory as they gain experience and potentially move into roles earning up to $131,584, marking a gradual but promising ascent toward the city’s median pay. Given the projected annual growth rate of 1.83%, Medford remains a viable market for new pharmacists, particularly considering the evolving job landscape that accommodates a growing demand for pharmacy services.
About the Medford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Medford
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 Medford
Entry-level pharmacists in Medford, MA typically start between $104,053 and $131,584 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $71,669 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,810 — 2.56% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Massachusetts of $195,000 represents just 187.40% of the starting pharmacist pay ($104,053/year) in Medford. 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 Medford
- 1Research the Medford market: entry-level pharmacist pay ranges from $104,053 to $131,584, 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 Medford, 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 Medford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Medford'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 Medford is $71,669 ( 68.88%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $104,053, experienced hygienists can earn up to $175,722.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$90,976
2025 BLS Actual
$102,183
2026 Current Est.
$104,053
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,976 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,693 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,079 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,279 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,602 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,618 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,183 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,053 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,957 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacist compensation (10th percentile) in Medford, MA grew 12.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $90,976 in 2019 to $102,183 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $105,957. New graduates entering the Medford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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 Medford
Employers in Medford that are known for hiring recent pharmacy graduates include local hospital systems, which often provide the option of a PGY-1 residency to develop clinical skills. Retail pharmacy chains, such as CVS and Walgreens, tend to be the principal employers for non-residency candidates, though sign-on bonuses have diminished compared to previous years. In addition, specialty pharmacy and managed care organizations increasingly seek residency-trained PharmDs to enhance their teams. Enhancing credentials, such as completing a PharmD program from an ACPE-accredited institution, passing the NAPLEX and MPJE exams, obtaining state licensure, and pursuing board certifications can further elevate starting pay for new grad pharmacists in MA. With $131,584 as a reasonable expectation after a few years of experience, newcomers focusing on the hospital or specialty sectors may find increased opportunities as the retail market contracts. This shift emphasizes the importance of pursuing PGY-1 and PGY-2 residencies for those seeking hospital roles, as they become progressively essential in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Medford, 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 Medford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Medford 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