Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Bowling Green, KY: $66.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Bowling Green, KY runs $66.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,450 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Bowling Green's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,477 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bowling Green, KY, the pharmacist hourly pay stands at a median of $66.09, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $68.99. This figure reflects the compensation landscape for pharmacists, particularly those working in settings such as retail pharmacy counters, inpatient hospital pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, and mail-order fulfillment operations. For those in part-time or per-diem roles, such as a pharmacist who works three days a week, this rate translates into a potentially robust income, particularly in a market where hourly rates range from $50.45 at the 10th percentile to $77.86 at the 90th percentile. Given the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, pharmacists in Bowling Green can expect a competitive hourly pay structure that provides a decent standard of living compared to other professions in the area.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.45 | $403.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.70 | $493.59 |
| Median (P50) | $66.09 | $528.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.11 | $592.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.86 | $622.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bowling Green
Based on $66.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.09/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bowling Green, KY can expect to earn approximately $137,462 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,305. With a cost-of-living index of 90.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bowling Green.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bowling Green
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,643.51 | $11,455 | $137,462 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,586.10 | $6,873 | $82,477 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,057.40 | $4,582 | $54,985 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Bowling Green) | $66.09 |
| 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 Bowling Green, KY earn a median of $137,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.21% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.60% below the Kentucky state average of $138,280.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.09/hr = $82,477/year (purchasing power: $91,460).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,462/year (purchasing power: $152,433).
CoL index: 90.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$67.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+0.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Bowling Green grew -3.1% from $67.01/hr (2019) to $64.90/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.30/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 Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green
Part-time pharmacists in Bowling Green often take home significant annual earnings, even while only working about 24 hours a week. This provides flexibility for those who may also be engaged in further training or pursuing board certifications like BPS. In contrast, per-diem pharmacists in the region can expect varying pay rates based on their work environment; retail pharmacists typically earn between $55 and $75 per hour, while clinical pharmacists in hospital settings can earn $60 to $85 per hour, with specialty pharmacy roles potentially reaching as high as $70 to $95 per hour. Various employers, including retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, hospitals, and specialty pharmacies like Accredo, contribute to this range. The choice between lower hourly rates with comprehensive health benefits versus higher wages without them remains a critical decision for many. Pharmacists negotiating their hourly pay in Bowling Green should emphasize both the value they provide and the evolving roles that pharmacy professionals are taking on in response to the changing landscape of healthcare services.
More salary data for Bowling Green, KY:
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 Bowling Green. 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