Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Tempe, AZ: $75.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Tempe, AZ runs $75.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $156,008 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Tempe's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $76.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $93,610 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tempe, Arizona, pharmacists earn a median hourly rate of $75.01, which exceeds the national median of $68.99. This robust hourly pay reflects the city's demand for skilled pharmacists across various settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacies. For part-time pharmacists working three days a week, this translates to an appealing compensation structure, potentially earning upwards of $1,200 weekly based on full-time equivalents. The hourly pay range extends from $54.35 for entry-level positions to $90.90 for top earners, highlighting the significant opportunity for career advancement. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections based on 2025 BLS data, providing a clear insight into earning capabilities in this profession throughout Tempe.
About the Tempe Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.35 | $434.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69.55 | $556.40 |
| Median (P50) | $75.01 | $600.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.14 | $681.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.90 | $727.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tempe
Based on $75.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.01/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tempe, AZ can expect to earn approximately $156,017 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $90,010. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tempe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tempe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,000.32 | $13,001 | $156,017 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,800.19 | $7,801 | $93,610 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,200.13 | $5,201 | $62,407 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Tempe) | $75.01 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in Tempe, AZ earn a median of $156,008 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.72% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $155,386.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.01/hr = $93,610/year (purchasing power: $95,035).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $156,017/year (purchasing power: $158,392).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$66.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Tempe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $67.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Tempe grew 10.0% from $66.96/hr (2019) to $73.66/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $76.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tempe 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.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in Tempe
Part-time pharmacists in Tempe have the potential to earn a respectable income, with a 24-hour work week bringing in approximately $93,000 annually. In contrast, full-time pharmacists can expect to make around $156,008 based on regional trends. For those opting for per diem roles, there's some variability; retail pharmacists typically bill $55 to $75 per hour, while hospital clinical pharmacists may receive $60 to $85 per hour. Specialty roles can yield even higher per diem rates of $70 to $95, particularly in oncology or critical care settings. Hourly rates fluctuate based on employer type—retail chains like CVS and Walgreens may offer lower wages compared to specialty pharmacies or hospital settings. As the market evolves with retail chains consolidating, many pharmacists might prioritize stable employment benefits over higher per-hour rates offered by per diem assignments. Negotiating for perks such as health insurance could be essential for those aiming for long-term job security amidst these shifts in the pharmacist labor market in Tempe.
More salary data for Tempe, AZ:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in Tempe. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tempe 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