Pharmacist Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $67.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in St. Louis, MO runs $67.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,065 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,638 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacist hourly pay in St. Louis, Missouri, is projected to reach a median of $67.82 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $68.99. This competitive rate offers significant earning potential for part-time pharmacists, particularly those working three days a week, as they could see substantial income while enjoying greater flexibility. Per-diem pharmacists filling roles in retail, clinical, or specialty settings can also benefit from appealing pay rates, which range from approximately $54.40 for entry-level positions to $81.68 for top-earning professionals. The intriguing dynamics of pharmacist work environments, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacy IV rooms, and clean rooms in specialty pharmacies, can create variability in hourly compensation based on the specific type of practice. The numbers presented here stem from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly data, reflecting the ongoing shifts in the healthcare landscape.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.40 | $435.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.53 | $508.25 |
| Median (P50) | $67.82 | $542.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.15 | $625.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.68 | $653.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $67.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.82/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $141,063 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,383. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,712.75 | $11,755 | $141,063 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,627.65 | $7,053 | $84,638 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,085.10 | $4,702 | $56,425 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (St. Louis) | $67.82 |
| 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 St. Louis, MO earn a median of $141,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.69% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.30% above the Missouri state average of $139,255.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.82/hr = $84,638/year (purchasing power: $89,010).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,063/year (purchasing power: $148,350).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$61.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in St. Louis grew 9.0% from $61.08/hr (2019) to $66.60/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.06/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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis
Delving into part-time work, a pharmacist putting in 24 hours per week would earn around $85,000 annually, showcasing the potential for lucrative salaries even without full-time commitments. Per diem roles in St. Louis, particularly in retail, often command hourly rates between $55 and $75, while those working in hospitals or specialty environments can earn $60 to $95 per hour depending on their experience and the specific demands of the role. The pay can vary substantially across different employers, from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to hospital pharmacies and specialty outfits like Accredo. Some pharmacists may opt for lower hourly rates to access health benefits that aren't provided in higher-paying roles, such as agency or locum positions. When negotiating, pharmacists in MO should emphasize their professional qualifications, including certifications like NAPLEX or BPS credentials, to maximize their earning potential while considering the value of the benefits package offered.
More salary data for St. Louis, 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 St. Louis. 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