Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Charleston, WV: $64.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Charleston, WV runs $64.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,069 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.7, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,444 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, West Virginia, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $64.46 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $68.99 per hour. This hourly rate reflects the earning potential for pharmacists working in settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, and specialty clinic environments. For part-time pharmacists, who often work around three days a week, this could translate to significant earnings, allowing for flexibility while still securing a substantial income. Entry-level pharmacists might start at about $39.36 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn as much as $82.15 per hour, depending on their expertise and the specific job responsibilities they take on.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.36 | $314.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.77 | $486.18 |
| Median (P50) | $64.46 | $515.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.30 | $578.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.15 | $657.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $64.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.46/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $134,073 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,350. With a cost-of-living index of 88.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,578.34 | $11,173 | $134,073 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,547.00 | $6,704 | $80,444 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,031.33 | $4,469 | $53,629 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Charleston) | $64.46 |
| 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 Charleston, WV earn a median of $134,069 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% lower than the national median of $143,489.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.46/hr = $80,444/year (purchasing power: $90,675).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,073/year (purchasing power: $151,125).
CoL index: 88.717 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$60.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+8.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Charleston grew 4.8% from $60.42/hr (2019) to $63.30/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.64/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
Earning potential for part-time pharmacists working 24 hours a week in Charleston could lead to an annual income of approximately $80,000, a substantial income compared to many jobs in the area. Many per diem pharmacist roles also offer attractive pay rates, typically ranging from $55 to $95 per hour depending on the practice setting—retail pharmacists generally find themselves at the lower end of this scale, while specialized areas such as oncology or critical care can command higher rates. Hourly wages vary significantly based on the type of employer, with retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens often providing lower hourly rates compared to hospitals and specialty pharmacies such as Accredo or Express Scripts. This inconsistency is often weighed against the benefits offered; some pharmacists choose positions with lower hourly pay due to healthcare benefits and job security. When negotiating hourly pay, pharmacists in Charleston are encouraged to research local salary standards and consider the total compensation package, including benefits, when evaluating opportunities.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Charleston in 2026?
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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 Charleston. 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