Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Cary, NC: $64.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Cary, NC runs $64.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,910 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Cary's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,952 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, NC, the pharmacist hourly pay stands at a median of $64.87, which is slightly lower than the national median of $68.99. This wage indicates a competitive outlook for both full-time and part-time pharmacists. Those working part-time, perhaps three days a week in environments such as retail pharmacy counters or hospital inpatient pharmacies, can expect to earn substantial hourly compensation despite a reduced work schedule. The range of hourly pay in Cary varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $47.04 per hour and top earners reaching upwards of $82.77. This hourly rate is derived from projected annual salary estimates and reflects the diverse roles pharmacists undertake across various settings, including specialty pharmacy clean rooms and mail-order fulfillment operations.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.04 | $376.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.23 | $481.86 |
| Median (P50) | $64.87 | $518.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.76 | $590.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.77 | $662.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cary
Based on $64.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.87/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cary, NC can expect to earn approximately $134,921 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,839. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,594.63 | $11,243 | $134,921 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,556.78 | $6,746 | $80,952 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,037.85 | $4,497 | $53,968 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Cary) | $64.87 |
| 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 Cary, NC earn a median of $134,910 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.98% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 3.40% below the North Carolina state average of $139,659.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.87/hr = $80,952/year (purchasing power: $86,488).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,921/year (purchasing power: $144,146).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Cary grew 10.0% from $57.90/hr (2019) to $63.70/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.05/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 Cary 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 Cary
When examining the financial implications of part-time work versus full-time employment, a pharmacist working 24 hours a week would see their annual take-home significantly impacted by their hourly wage. While full-time roles typically offer a steady salary, those opting for per-diem positions, such as retail or hospital pharmacists, often earn between $55 and $95 per hour depending on the specialty. In Cary, this variance illustrates the substantial opportunities available for pharmacists in different sectors, such as retail pharmacy chains like CVS or specialty pharmacies such as Accredo. However, many pharmacists must weigh the benefits of lower hourly rates that come with stable employment against higher rates without health insurance or retirement benefits. Negotiating hourly wages can be strategically approached by understanding the local market dynamics, especially given recent trends towards retail pharmacy consolidation and the need for pharmacists with advanced certifications like PGY-1 residency or specialty board certification.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Cary in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacists make in Cary?
Are pharmacists in Cary paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacist make per year in Cary?
Do pharmacists earn more per hour working part-time in Cary?
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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 Cary. 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 Cary 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