Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Altoona, PA: $63.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Altoona, PA runs $63.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,849 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Altoona's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.5, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,110 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, the pharmacist hourly pay is estimated to reach a median of $63.39 in 2026, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $68.99. This disparity may influence part-time and per-diem pharmacists significantly, especially those working in retail pharmacy counters, hospital settings, or specialty pharmacies. A pharmacist working three days a week could expect to earn a substantial income at this rate, while entry-level pharmacists might start at around $50.00 per hour, with top earners seeing rates as high as $75.42. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, helping to set realistic expectations for those entering this field in Altoona.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.00 | $399.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.02 | $464.18 |
| Median (P50) | $63.39 | $507.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.92 | $543.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.42 | $603.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Altoona
Based on $63.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.39/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Altoona, PA can expect to earn approximately $131,849 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,067. With a cost-of-living index of 89.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Altoona.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Altoona
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,535.57 | $10,987 | $131,849 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,521.34 | $6,592 | $79,110 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,014.23 | $4,395 | $52,740 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Altoona) | $63.39 |
| 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 Altoona, PA earn a median of $131,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.11% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $137,774.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.39/hr = $79,110/year (purchasing power: $88,384).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,849/year (purchasing power: $147,306).
CoL index: 89.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Altoona grew 6.8% from $58.26/hr (2019) to $62.25/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.55/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 Altoona 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 Altoona
For part-time pharmacists in Altoona, working a schedule of three days a week could generate an annual take-home of approximately $79,876, in contrast to full-time employees earning significantly more. Additionally, per diem pharmacist pay in Altoona varies: retail pharmacists often see rates between $55 and $75 per hour, while hospital and specialty roles may range from $60 to $95 per hour, reflecting the nuanced demands in these positions. Employment choices, such as opting for retail chains, hospitals, or mail-order pharmacies, also affect compensation dynamics. Employers might offer lower wages with better benefits compared to higher pay without added perks, leading pharmacists to weigh their options based on financial and personal needs. Negotiating hourly work conditions in Altoona calls for careful consideration of these trade-offs, especially in a market influenced by factors like chain store consolidations and evolving scope of practice within the field.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 Altoona. 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