Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in De Pere, WI: $102,534 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacists entering the De Pere, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $102,534 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out De Pere's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $109,779 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($144,602) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the pharmacy field in De Pere, Wisconsin can anticipate starting salaries around $102,534, which presents a notable gap compared to the city’s median pharmacist salary of $144,602. This discrepancy illustrates the typical income trajectory for recent graduates in their initial years, where salaries gradually rise as they gain experience. Within three to five years, many pharmacists could expect to earn approximately $131,855 or more, reflecting the potential for growth in this profession. Given the current demand for pharmacists in De Pere, particularly in clinical settings, the local market appears to be favorable for new graduates looking for stable career prospects.
About the De Pere Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in De Pere
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 De Pere
Entry-level pharmacists in De Pere, WI typically start between $102,534 and $131,855 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $64,041 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $144,602 — 0.78% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Wisconsin of $140,000 represents just 136.54% of the starting pharmacist pay ($102,534/year) in De Pere. 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 De Pere
- 1Research the De Pere market: entry-level pharmacist pay ranges from $102,534 to $131,855, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in De Pere, 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 De Pere for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5De Pere's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Pharmacist Compensation Range
The pharmacist wage spread in De Pere is $64,041 ( 62.46%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $102,534, experienced hygienists can earn up to $166,575.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$89,647
2025 BLS Actual
$100,691
2026 Current Est.
$102,534
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in De Pere (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,412 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,924 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,078 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,807 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,691 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,534 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,410 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacist compensation (10th percentile) in De Pere, WI grew 12.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $89,647 in 2019 to $100,691 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $104,410. New graduates entering the De Pere job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the De Pere 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 De Pere
Employers in De Pere looking to hire recently graduated pharmacists primarily include local hospital systems and retail chains. Hospital positions often come with the added advantage of residency programs, such as PGY-1, which enhance career pathways in clinical environments. Meanwhile, retail chains continue to hire non-residency graduates, although incentives like sign-on bonuses have diminished compared to the booming figures seen in 2021-2022. Credentials play a significant role in elevating starting pay in Wisconsin; a PharmD from an ACPE-accredited program is essential, along with passing the NAPLEX and MPJE exams. Even though the retail pharmacy market is contracting, opportunities in hospital and specialty pharmacy roles are expanding, making it advantageous for new pharmacists to seek continuing education and specialized BPS board certifications. Realistically, pharmacists in their first year can expect modest salary growth as they establish themselves, setting the foundation for future opportunities within the evolving landscape of pharmacy practice in De Pere and beyond.
More salary data for De Pere, WI:
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 De Pere. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for De Pere 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