Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $73.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Lincoln, NE runs $73.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $152,327 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $79.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $91,399 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, pharmacists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $73.24, which is notably higher than the national median of $68.99. This hourly rate provides attractive opportunities for part-time and per-diem pharmacists, who often work in various settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy operations. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the compensation not only reflects a stable income but also leaves room for flexible schedules. Hourly wages can range from $60.41 for entry-level positions to $79.98 for those at the top of their field, illustrating the potential for significant earnings throughout different stages of one's career. The figures provided here are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60.41 | $483.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.17 | $513.39 |
| Median (P50) | $73.24 | $585.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.84 | $606.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.98 | $639.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $73.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $73.24/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $152,331 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $87,883. With a cost-of-living index of 91.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,929.45 | $12,694 | $152,331 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,757.67 | $7,617 | $91,399 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,171.78 | $5,078 | $60,932 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Lincoln) | $73.24 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $152,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 16.00% above the Nebraska state average of $131,317.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $73.24/hr = $91,399/year (purchasing power: $99,801).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $152,331/year (purchasing power: $166,335).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$73.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Lincoln grew 22.6% from $58.65/hr (2019) to $71.92/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.58/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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Part-time pharmacists working 24 hours a week could take home an annual income that reflects their reduced hours, contrasting sharply with their full-time counterparts. While part-time roles offer flexibility, they may sacrifice benefits that come with full-time employment. Conversely, per-diem rates are competitive, with retail pharmacists billing between $55 and $75 per hour, while clinical roles in hospitals may command $60 to $85 per hour, and specialized areas like oncology or critical care can see rates reach $70 to $95 hourly. The variability in pay stems from the type of employer, where retail pharmacy chains, hospitals, specialty pharmacies, and mail-order operations each have different pay structures. Additionally, benefits may sway pharmacists' choices, as some prioritize health insurance even if it means accepting lower hourly rates. Negotiating for favorable terms is essential, and pharmacists in Lincoln should consider the dynamics between hourly pay and job security when exploring opportunities across various sectors, particularly amidst ongoing changes in the retail pharmacy market.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 Lincoln. 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