Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $72.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Louisville, KY runs $72.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $150,713 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $81.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $90,433 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the projected pharmacist hourly pay for 2026 is set at $72.46, surpassing the national hourly median of $68.99. This favorable rate provides significant opportunities for those considering part-time or per-diem positions in various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy clean rooms. For part-time pharmacists working three days a week, averaging 24 hours can result in substantial earnings, especially compared to those starting out in the field or those reaching the upper limits of the pay scale. The hourly pay for pharmacists in Louisville ranges from $47.10 for entry-level positions to as high as $92.52 for top earners, offering a flexible work environment that suits diverse professional aspirations.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.10 | $376.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.28 | $506.22 |
| Median (P50) | $72.46 | $579.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.87 | $678.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.52 | $740.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $72.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $72.46/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $150,721 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $86,955. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,898.49 | $12,560 | $150,721 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,739.09 | $7,536 | $90,433 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,159.40 | $5,024 | $60,289 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Louisville) | $72.46 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $150,713 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.03% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $138,269.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $72.46/hr = $90,433/year (purchasing power: $101,269).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $150,721/year (purchasing power: $168,781).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$64.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$72.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $65.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $67.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Louisville grew 10.0% from $64.69/hr (2019) to $71.16/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.79/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
For pharmacists opting for part-time roles, the financial landscape shifts considerably. A pharmacist working 24 hours a week can expect to bring home an annual income that can differ significantly from full-time earnings, depending on the specific employer and type of work. Per diem pharmacist pay in Louisville varies, with retail pharmacists typically earning between $55-$75 per hour, while hospital clinical roles might command $60-$85 per hour. Specialty pharmacy positions, especially in fields like oncology and critical care, can reach $70-$95 hourly. The choice of employer significantly affects these rates; the consolidation of retail chains like CVS and Walgreens has altered market demand, pushing many pharmacists towards hospitals and specialty pharmacies where hours and compensation can be more favorable. Additionally, some pharmacists may be willing to accept reduced hourly rates in exchange for benefits, which can create a balancing act in career decisions. Practical negotiation strategies, such as positioning oneself based on experience and expected value to the employer, can greatly impact compensation discussions in Louisville's evolving pharmacy market.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Louisville in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacists make in Louisville?
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Career Resources
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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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