Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Columbus, OH: $65.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Columbus, OH runs $65.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,411 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,842 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbus, Ohio, the projected median pharmacist hourly pay for 2026 is $65.58, which reflects a slight dip compared to the national median hourly rate of $68.99. This hourly rate presents a viable option for part-time and per-diem workers within diverse pharmacy settings such as retail pharmacies, hospital inpatient environments, specialty pharmacies, and ambulatory clinics. For pharmacists working three days a week, focusing on cities like Columbus allows them to effectively balance work-life commitments while still earning competitive wages. Entry-level positions may start around $24.69 per hour, whereas top earners in the profession can reach as much as $81.58 per hour, illustrating the potential for career advancement in the field.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.69 | $197.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.51 | $500.11 |
| Median (P50) | $65.58 | $524.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.46 | $611.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.58 | $652.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $65.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.58/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, OH can expect to earn approximately $136,403 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,694. With a cost-of-living index of 95.47 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,623.14 | $11,367 | $136,403 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,573.88 | $6,820 | $81,842 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,049.26 | $4,547 | $54,561 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Columbus) | $65.58 |
| 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 Columbus, OH earn a median of $136,411 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.93% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.50% below the Ohio state average of $138,489.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.58/hr = $81,842/year (purchasing power: $85,726).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,403/year (purchasing power: $142,877).
CoL index: 95.469 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Columbus grew 13.1% from $56.94/hr (2019) to $64.40/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.78/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
Those considering part-time roles might earn significantly less yearly than their full-time counterparts, even working 24 hours per week. Per-diem opportunities can generally offer between $55 to $95 per hour, with variations based on practice setting; retail pharmacists often see lower rates, while critical care roles in hospitals and specialty areas may yield higher pay. In Columbus, retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens frequently offer competitive pay, but often with trade-offs, as some pharmacists might prefer lower hourly rates that include health benefits over higher rates without them. When negotiating, it's advisable for pharmacists to assess their total compensation package, including benefits and work-life balance, to align their career goals with employer expectations. Understanding employer-specific pay scales in Columbus can also equip pharmacists with the necessary knowledge for effective salary negotiations.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Columbus. 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