Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Atlanta, GA: $68.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Atlanta, GA runs $68.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,430 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Atlanta's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $68.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,464 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlanta, Georgia, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to reach $68.48 in 2026, which positions it slightly below the national median of $68.99 per hour. This compensation reflects a range that accommodates both entry-level professionals and seasoned experts, with hourly rates expected to start as low as $50.51 and extend up to $85.94. This structure offers flexibility for part-time and per-diem pharmacists who may work in various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty clinics. For those working three days a week, this hourly wage can make for a viable income, allowing professionals to balance work and personal responsibilities while enjoying a competitive pay rate as projected by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.51 | $404.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.98 | $495.87 |
| Median (P50) | $68.48 | $547.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.63 | $637.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.94 | $687.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlanta
Based on $68.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.48/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlanta, GA can expect to earn approximately $142,440 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,177. With a cost-of-living index of 100.06 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlanta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlanta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,739.23 | $11,870 | $142,440 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,643.54 | $7,122 | $85,464 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,095.69 | $4,748 | $56,976 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Atlanta) | $68.48 |
| 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 Atlanta, GA earn a median of $142,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.74% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.70% above the Georgia state average of $136,036.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.48/hr = $85,464/year (purchasing power: $85,414).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,440/year (purchasing power: $142,357).
CoL index: 100.058 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Atlanta grew 9.9% from $61.18/hr (2019) to $67.25/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.73/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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta
A part-time pharmacist working a typical schedule of 24 hours over three days might earn approximately $85,267 annually, a figure that, while substantial, pales in comparison to full-time counterparts. For per-diem shifts, retail pharmacists often earn between $55 and $75 an hour, while hospital settings may see rates ranging from $60 to $85 depending on the specialty of care provided. Higher remuneration is observed in critical care and oncology environments, where per-diem roles can command between $70 and $95 per hour. In the vibrant landscape of Atlanta, pharmacist hourly pay varies notably across employer types, encompassing retail giants like CVS or Walgreens and hospital systems that increasingly rely on pharmacists for patient-centered services. The burgeoning demand for services like immunizations and chronic disease management can prompt some pharmacists to prioritize hourly rates over traditional benefits, making negotiations critical for those seeking roles in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
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 Atlanta. 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