Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $64.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Athens, GA runs $64.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,650 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,787 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to be $64.73 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national hourly median of $68.99. This competitive hourly rate makes pharmacy positions attractive for part-time and per-diem workers, especially in settings like retail pharmacies, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy operations. The hourly wage range for pharmacists in the area spans from $38.65 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $79.75 for the top earners (90th percentile), indicating substantial earning potential based on experience and position. The data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and highlights Athens, GA's unique labor market in the pharmacy field.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.65 | $309.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.99 | $479.90 |
| Median (P50) | $64.73 | $517.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.52 | $548.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.75 | $638.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $64.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.73/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $134,645 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,680. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,589.33 | $11,220 | $134,645 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,553.60 | $6,732 | $80,787 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,035.73 | $4,488 | $53,858 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Athens) | $64.73 |
| 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 Athens, GA earn a median of $134,650 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.10% below the Georgia state average of $136,147.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.73/hr = $80,787/year (purchasing power: $86,549).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,645/year (purchasing power: $144,248).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Athens grew 9.8% from $57.88/hr (2019) to $63.57/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.92/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 Athens 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 Athens
Focusing on part-time earnings, a pharmacist working three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, could expect an annual take-home of around $81,000 based on the average weekly hours, contrasting sharply with a full-time pharmacist's potential. Per diem pharmacist pay in Athens often ranges from $55 to $95 per hour, depending on the setting—retail and hospital pharmacists generally earn towards the lower end, while specialty pharmacy positions command higher rates. Variations also exist among employers; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offer different compensation packages compared to specialty pharmacies or hospital roles. This can lead to a trade-off where some pharmacists may accept lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance and job security, while others may prefer the flexibility and higher rates associated with per diem roles. To negotiate effectively in Athens, pharmacists should consider their work-life balance, desired benefits, and the unique demands of the positions available.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Athens in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacists make in Athens?
Are pharmacists in Athens paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacist make per year in Athens?
Do pharmacists earn more per hour working part-time in Athens?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 Athens. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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