Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Salem, OR: $82.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Salem, OR runs $82.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $172,307 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $79.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,383 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salem, Oregon, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to be $82.84 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $68.99. This competitive rate illustrates the opportunities available not just for full-time pharmacists but also for part-time and per-diem workers, who can find positions in diverse settings such as retail pharmacy counters, inpatient hospital pharmacies, specialty pharmacy clean rooms, and ambulatory clinics. For those exploring flexible job options, part-time pharmacists working three days a week can earn substantial income, while entry-level positions are more likely to fall towards the lower end of the hourly range, starting at around $63.59. As talent demand continues to grow, seasoned pharmacists can earn upwards of $97.92 per hour, indicating a healthy market for pharmacy professionals in Salem based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63.59 | $508.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71.68 | $573.43 |
| Median (P50) | $82.84 | $662.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.38 | $707.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.92 | $783.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $82.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.84/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, OR can expect to earn approximately $172,305 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,406. With a cost-of-living index of 103.65 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,313.55 | $14,359 | $172,305 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,988.13 | $8,615 | $103,383 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,325.42 | $5,743 | $68,922 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Salem) | $82.84 |
| 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 Salem, OR earn a median of $172,307 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.08% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.70% above the Oregon state average of $167,777.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.84/hr = $103,383/year (purchasing power: $99,743).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $172,305/year (purchasing power: $166,238).
CoL index: 103.649 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$67.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$81.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $74.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $81.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Salem grew 20.6% from $67.47/hr (2019) to $81.35/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.35/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 Salem 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 Salem
Focusing on part-time earning potential, pharmacists employed for three days a week at 24 hours would take home significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Many part-time pharmacists benefit from the flexibility their roles offer, yet some may find themselves earning between $55-$75 per hour when working as per-diem retail pharmacists, while hospital clinical roles may range from $60-$85 per hour, depending on the specialty. On the other hand, those in critical care or specialty oncology may command even higher rates, typically reaching $70-$95 per hour. The choice of employer also plays a key role in wage variability; chain pharmacies may offer different rates compared to specialty and hospital settings. Therefore, it is crucial for pharmacists in Salem to consider the trade-off between an attractive hourly wage without benefits and slightly lower pay that includes health insurance. Negotiating based on your expertise and targeted employer type can provide substantial leverage in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Salem, OR:
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 Salem. 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