Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Kansas City, MO: $68.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Kansas City, MO runs $68.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,012 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,210 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist hourly pay in Kansas City, MO, is projected to reach a median rate of $68.28, slightly below the national median of $68.99. This competitive hourly wage offers robust earning potential for both full-time professionals and those in part-time or per-diem roles. Pharmacists working three days a week can expect to earn a substantial income, making the profession financially viable for flexible schedules. In Kansas City’s variety of pharmacy settings, which include retail locations, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty environments, entry-level pharmacists can start around $41.86 per hour, while top earners can make up to $84.42 per hour, highlighting the significant variability in compensation based on experience and workplace.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.86 | $334.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.95 | $511.59 |
| Median (P50) | $68.28 | $546.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.60 | $636.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.42 | $675.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $68.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.28/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, MO can expect to earn approximately $142,016 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,932. With a cost-of-living index of 92.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,731.08 | $11,835 | $142,016 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,638.65 | $7,101 | $85,210 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,092.43 | $4,734 | $56,806 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Kansas City) | $68.28 |
| 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 Kansas City, MO earn a median of $142,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.03% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 2.00% above the Missouri state average of $139,228.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.28/hr = $85,210/year (purchasing power: $92,076).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,016/year (purchasing power: $153,460).
CoL index: 92.543 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$61.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $65.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Kansas City grew 9.2% from $61.39/hr (2019) to $67.05/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.53/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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City
When considering the earning potential for part-time pharmacists in Kansas City, those working 24 hours a week will gather about $84,840 annually compared to full-time remuneration. Hence, many opt for per-diem roles, where rates can range considerably depending on the setting; retail pharmacists typically receive $55-$75 per hour, while clinical services may demand $60-$85. Specialty pharmacists, particularly in critical care or oncology, may command between $70 and $95 per hour. Whether employed by retail giants like CVS or Walgreens or working in hospitals and specialty pharmacies, the variation in hourly rates reflects the complexities of pharmacy work. Pharmacists often face a decision on balancing higher pay against the benefits offered by full-time positions, making effective negotiation vital, and raising the importance of understanding local hiring trends in Kansas City’s evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
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 Kansas City. 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