Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Rio Rancho, NM: $67.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Rio Rancho, NM runs $67.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,419 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Rio Rancho's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,647 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The pharmacist hourly pay in Rio Rancho, NM, is projected at $67.02 for 2026, which falls slightly below the national median of $68.99 per hour. This rate is illustrative of the broader earning potential in various roles within the field, making it a viable option for both full-time employees and part-time workers. A pharmacist working three days a week could expect to earn nearly $64,000 annually while maintaining a flexible schedule. Entry-level pharmacists in the area can anticipate hourly wages starting at $45.65, while those with extensive experience can achieve earnings up to $84.63 per hour in specialized settings like hospital pharmacy departments, retail outlets, or ambulatory care clinics. These rates are organized based on national data trends, reflecting the demand and operational costs within the region’s pharmacy services.
About the Rio Rancho Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.65 | $365.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.15 | $481.21 |
| Median (P50) | $67.02 | $536.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.10 | $624.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.63 | $677.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rio Rancho
Based on $67.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.02/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rio Rancho, NM can expect to earn approximately $139,411 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,429. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rio Rancho.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rio Rancho
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,680.98 | $11,618 | $139,411 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,608.59 | $6,971 | $83,647 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,072.39 | $4,647 | $55,764 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Rio Rancho) | $67.02 |
| 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 Rio Rancho, NM earn a median of $139,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 2.90% above the New Mexico state average of $135,489.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.02/hr = $83,647/year (purchasing power: $88,609).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,411/year (purchasing power: $147,681).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$59.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Rio Rancho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Rio Rancho grew 10.0% from $59.83/hr (2019) to $65.82/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.25/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 Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho
Analyzing the part-time and per-diem landscape for pharmacists in Rio Rancho reveals some intriguing financial dynamics. A pharmacist on a 24-hour work week could potentially see annual earnings around $63,000, considerably less than their full-time counterparts, yet these roles often offer greater flexibility. Per diem pharmacist pay in this area can vary significantly; retail pharmacists might charge between $55 and $75 per hour, while clinical roles in hospitals can range from $60 to $85. The appeal of flexible scheduling might necessitate accepting lower hourly rates without benefits, which is often a reality for those in independent practice or specialty areas. Employers in Rio Rancho, including CVS and Walgreens, present varying pay scales, and negotiations could focus on the value of additional benefits versus higher wages. Pharmacists should contemplate these factors, especially with shifts in demand across various pharmacy sectors such as mail-order services and hospital practices, where benefits like health insurance might outweigh higher hourly compensation.
More salary data for Rio Rancho, NM:
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 Rio Rancho. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rio Rancho is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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