Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Paducah, KY: $66.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Paducah, KY runs $66.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,277 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Paducah's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $76.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,363 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacists in Paducah, KY, can expect a median hourly rate of $66.00, which positions them slightly below the national median of $68.99. This figure provides a solid foundation for pharmacists working in various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty clean rooms. For part-time pharmacists working three days a week, the hourly compensation can translate to decent earnings, while per-diem workers benefit from flexible scheduling options that can enhance their financial situation. The hourly range for this profession in Paducah runs from $46.25 at the lower end (P10) to $79.01 for the highest earners (P90). Such numbers, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflect the evolving nature of pharmacist roles as the industry grapples with changes in healthcare delivery.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.25 | $370.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.57 | $508.58 |
| Median (P50) | $66.00 | $527.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.64 | $629.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.01 | $632.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Paducah
Based on $66.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.00/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Paducah, KY can expect to earn approximately $137,272 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,195. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Paducah.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Paducah
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,639.84 | $11,439 | $137,272 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,583.90 | $6,864 | $82,363 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,055.94 | $4,576 | $54,909 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Paducah) | $66.00 |
| 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 Paducah, KY earn a median of $137,277 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.33% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.70% below the Kentucky state average of $138,245.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.00/hr = $82,363/year (purchasing power: $95,678).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,272/year (purchasing power: $159,463).
CoL index: 86.084 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Paducah grew 10.0% from $58.91/hr (2019) to $64.81/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.20/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 Paducah 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 Paducah
Analyzing the earnings further, part-time pharmacists working a standard 24-hour week can expect to earn a considerable annual income, but it will still be less than that of their full-time counterparts. For those considering per-diem or agency roles, the pay varies significantly depending on the pharmacist's specialization, with retail pharmacists typically earning between $55-$75/hour, while those in hospital settings can command between $60-$85/hour. Specialty pharmacists, particularly in areas like oncology or critical care, may see rates soar to $70-$95/hour. In Paducah, hourly rates fluctuate across different employer types, with retail pharmacy chains and hospital pharmacies often offering competitive pay but differing benefit structures. While some pharmacists opt for lower hourly wages at retail stores in exchange for health insurance, others might prefer higher pay concurrent with the absence of benefits. When negotiating hourly rates, it's ideal to consider both compensation and job stability in the local market, especially as pharmacies consolidate and new opportunities arise in ambulatory care and specialty areas.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Paducah in 2026?
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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 Paducah. 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, 2-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