Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Grand Rapids, MI: $68.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Grand Rapids, MI runs $68.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,285 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Grand Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,972 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to reach $68.89 in 2026, only slightly lower than the national median of $68.99. This rate offers attractive options for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, allowing them to earn substantial income while maintaining work-life balance. Per-diem positions in various settings like retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and specialty pharmacies provide flexibility, with entry-level pharmacists starting around $58.67 and adept professionals making up to $79.25 per hour according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics data. With approximately 820 pharmacists currently working in the local market, those seeking opportunities across diverse environments will find a range of options to suit their career aspirations.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58.67 | $469.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67.17 | $537.34 |
| Median (P50) | $68.89 | $551.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.92 | $631.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.25 | $634.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Rapids
Based on $68.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.89/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Rapids, MI can expect to earn approximately $143,287 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,666. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,755.52 | $11,941 | $143,287 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,653.31 | $7,164 | $85,972 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,102.21 | $4,776 | $57,315 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Grand Rapids) | $68.89 |
| 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 Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $143,285 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.14% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.30% above the Michigan state average of $142,856.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.89/hr = $85,972/year (purchasing power: $89,980).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,287/year (purchasing power: $149,967).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$59.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Grand Rapids grew 13.1% from $59.81/hr (2019) to $67.65/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.15/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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids
The potential earnings for part-time pharmacists working in Grand Rapids can vary significantly compared to their full-time counterparts. For example, a pharmacist working 24 hours a week would take home an annual income close to $85,000, whereas full-time professionals make upwards of $143,285 yearly, reflecting the income disparities influenced by work hours. Per diem pharmacist pay in Grand Rapids typically falls between $55 and $95 per hour depending on the specialty, such as retail or critical care roles. The compensation landscape varies among employers, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens generally offering less than specialized hospitals or mail-order pharmacies due to the competitive nature of the industry. Many pharmacists find that accepting slightly lower hourly wages at retail positions comes with benefits that add security to their overall compensation package. Negotiating wisely for shifts and exploring the benefit packages offered can be crucial for those looking to maximize their pharmacist hourly rate in MI.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 Grand Rapids. 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