Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $68.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Rapid City, SD runs $68.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,908 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $77.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,743 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacist hourly pay in Rapid City, South Dakota is projected to reach a median of $68.70 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $68.99 per hour. This competitive hourly rate shows promise for both full-time and part-time professionals in diverse settings such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, specialty clinics, and mail-order facilities. For those working part-time, say three days a week, the pay translates into substantial earnings that can supplement other income streams or serve as a primary source in flexible employment arrangements. Entry-level pharmacists in Rapid City could expect to earn around $51.02 per hour, while the top 10% of earners in the field can achieve rates as high as $79.09, reflecting a broad spectrum of opportunities within the pharmacy profession.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.02 | $408.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.37 | $523.00 |
| Median (P50) | $68.70 | $549.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.02 | $608.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.09 | $632.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $68.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.70/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $142,906 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,446. With a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,748.19 | $11,909 | $142,906 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,648.91 | $7,145 | $85,743 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,099.28 | $4,764 | $57,162 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Rapid City) | $68.70 |
| 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 Rapid City, SD earn a median of $142,908 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.40% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 7.30% above the South Dakota state average of $133,186.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.70/hr = $85,743/year (purchasing power: $96,168).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,906/year (purchasing power: $160,280).
CoL index: 89.16 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$65.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+6.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $66.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $67.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Rapid City grew 2.8% from $65.64/hr (2019) to $67.47/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.96/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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City
Considering the dynamics of the job market, part-time pharmacists in Rapid City working 24 hours a week could see earnings that still provide a reliable income, but full-time positions usually yield higher overall compensation. Per diem roles for pharmacists vary widely, with retail positions typically billing rates from $55 to $75 per hour, whereas clinical settings, especially in hospitals or specialty fields, can see rates between $60 and $95 per hour depending on the complexity of the tasks involved. Employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and local hospitals often provide different compensation packages, impacting how pharmacists select their workplaces. The balancing act of higher hourly rates versus benefits in full-time roles can make negotiations pivotal for professionals seeking to maximize their income. Those interested in per diem pharmacist pay in Rapid City should evaluate positions with reputable agencies and explore various sectors, including managed care and ambulatory clinics, understanding that certain roles may offer more attractive compensation without the obligation of full-time commitments.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
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 Rapid City. 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