Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $68.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Portland, ME runs $68.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,193 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.9, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,921 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacists in Portland, ME can expect a median hourly pay of $68.85, which is only slightly below the national median of $68.99. This rate reflects the dynamics of various pharmacy settings, including retail counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty clean rooms, and mail-order operations. For part-time pharmacists working three days a week, this translates to substantial earnings, making it an appealing option for those seeking flexibility. Moreover, the hourly range for pharmacists in Portland spans from $44.03, representing entry-level positions, to $81.54 for top earners within the profession. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a continuing trend of competitive compensation.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.03 | $352.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.71 | $517.70 |
| Median (P50) | $68.85 | $550.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.05 | $616.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.54 | $652.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $68.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.85/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $143,202 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,617. With a cost-of-living index of 101.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,753.89 | $11,934 | $143,202 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,652.33 | $7,160 | $85,921 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,101.56 | $4,773 | $57,281 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Portland) | $68.85 |
| 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 Portland, ME earn a median of $143,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.21% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.20% above the Maine state average of $142,908.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.85/hr = $85,921/year (purchasing power: $84,354).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,202/year (purchasing power: $140,590).
CoL index: 101.858 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+8.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Portland grew 4.3% from $64.81/hr (2019) to $67.61/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.11/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 Portland 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 Portland
Evaluating the earnings potential for part-time and per-diem pharmacists reveals a significant difference in annual take-home pay compared to full-time roles. A pharmacist working a 24-hour week can expect a more modest annual income than their full-time counterparts while still retaining valuable flexibility. Per diem pharmacist pay in Portland varies considerably by setting; retail pharmacists often earn between $55 and $75 per hour, while clinical per-diem rates can rise to $60-$85 in hospitals. Specialty roles in oncology or critical care command even higher rates, sometimes reaching $70-$95 per hour. As hourly wage rates fluctuate across employer types—ranging from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to specialty pharmacies—the balance between hourly pay and job benefits becomes critical. Some pharmacists may prefer positions offering lower hourly rates but adequate health insurance, particularly as the industry sees increasing consolidation in retail pharmacy. For those looking to negotiate, highlighting expertise and flexibility can be key strategies in securing favorable terms in the competitive Portland market.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
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 Portland. 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