Pharmacist Salary

Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in Plymouth, MA: $99,074 (2026)

Quick Answer:New pharmacists entering the Plymouth, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $99,074 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Plymouth's local price level (BEA RPP 108.59% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $91,312 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($142,454) within a few years of clinical practice.

$99,074
Starting Salary
$47.64/hr
Starting Hourly
$99,074
Entry Level
$142,454
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

New graduates entering the pharmacy field in Plymouth, Massachusetts, can anticipate starting salaries around $99,074 in 2026. This figure represents an entry-level pay point, significantly below the city median salary of $142,454 for pharmacists. With a trajectory that leads from the initial pay rate to $128,753 at the 25th percentile over the first few years, new grads can reasonably expect to advance to higher salary brackets as they gain experience. Given the current job market, Plymouth remains a promising area for aspiring pharmacists, especially as healthcare roles expand in hospitals and specialty settings, making it an attractive option for pharmacy school graduates to start their careers.

About the Plymouth Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Plymouth

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$99,074/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$128,753/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$142,454/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$164,003/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plymouth

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for pharmacists in Plymouth. The median salary is $142,454, compared to the national median of $143,489.$89.2K$113.0K$136.8K$160.7K$184.5K$99.1K10th Pctl$128.8K25th Pctl$142.5KMedian$164.0K75th Pctl$175.7K90th PctlUS Median$143.5K

Entry-level pharmacists in Plymouth, MA typically start between $99,074 and $128,753 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $76,666 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $142,4540.72% below the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$195,000
Avg MA Program Cost
$99,074
Starting Salary
196.82%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
2.0 yr
Payback Estimate

The average pharmacy program cost in Massachusetts of $195,000 represents just 196.82% of the starting pharmacist pay ($99,074/year) in Plymouth. 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 Plymouth

  • 1Research the Plymouth market: entry-level pharmacist pay ranges from $99,074 to $128,753, 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 Plymouth, 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 Plymouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Plymouth'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 Plymouth is $76,666 ( 77.38%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $99,074, experienced hygienists can earn up to $175,740.

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

2019 BLS Actual

$86,623

2025 BLS Actual

$97,294

2026 Current Est.

$99,074

2019–2027 Growth

+16.5%

Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Plymouth (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 Plymouth. Baseline $86,623 in 2025, projected to $100,888 by 2027.$70.2K$79.1K$88.1K$97.0K$106.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$86.6K$83.5K$75.3K$78.3K$88.2K$100.8K$97.3K$99.1K$100.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$86,623Actual
2020$83,497Actual
2021$75,295Actual
2022$78,343Actual
2023$88,171Actual
2024$100,750Actual
2025$97,294Actual
2026(current)$99,074Estimated
2027$100,888Projected

Entry-level pharmacist compensation (10th percentile) in Plymouth, MA grew 12.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $86,623 in 2019 to $97,294 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $100,888. New graduates entering the Plymouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plymouth 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 Plymouth

Prospective employers in Plymouth typically include local hospital systems and retail chains, both of which hire new pharmacists. Hospital systems often offer PGY-1 residency opportunities that can pave the way to more advanced clinical roles, while retail chains may provide sign-on bonuses to attract fresh talent in a competitive job market. Completing a PharmD from an ACPE-accredited program, passing the NAPLEX and MPJE, and obtaining state licensure are essential steps for any new pharmacist. Additionally, pursuing a PGY-1 or PGY-2 residency or obtaining BPS board certifications can enhance starting pay and career prospects. In the first three years, new grads might see salary growth through careful navigation of the evolving pharmacy landscape, particularly as traditional retail roles may contract while clinical pharmacy positions are on the rise, aligning with changing patient care trends.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level pharmacists in Plymouth start at approximately $99,074/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 $47.63/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 Plymouth?

Most pharmacists in Plymouth progress from the entry-level salary of $99,074 to the area median of $142,454 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $175,740 (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 Plymouth?

With a starting salary of $99,074/year in Plymouth 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 Plymouth?

New pharmacy graduates in Plymouth typically start near the 10th percentile at $99,074/year, or approximately $47.63/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 Massachusetts?

To become a licensed pharmacist in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts, 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

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

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Plymouth 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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