Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Wheeling, WV: $65.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Wheeling, WV runs $65.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,464 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.3, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,283 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wheeling, West Virginia, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to be $65.13 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $68.99. This figure reflects opportunities for both part-time and per-diem positions within the profession. For example, a part-time pharmacist working three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, can expect to earn around $1,570 weekly, offering a comfortable living amid a cost of living index of 88.323. Entry-level pharmacists can expect to start at approximately $39.71, while top earners in Wheeling have the potential to command rates as high as $81.31 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data provides an overview of the financial landscape for pharmacists in various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, and specialty environments.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.71 | $317.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.12 | $488.95 |
| Median (P50) | $65.13 | $521.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.12 | $592.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.31 | $650.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $65.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.13/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, WV can expect to earn approximately $135,471 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,157. With a cost-of-living index of 88.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,605.22 | $11,289 | $135,471 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,563.13 | $6,774 | $81,283 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,042.09 | $4,516 | $54,189 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Wheeling) | $65.13 |
| 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 Wheeling, WV earn a median of $135,464 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.59% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.00% above the West Virginia state average of $134,123.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.13/hr = $81,283/year (purchasing power: $92,029).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,471/year (purchasing power: $153,382).
CoL index: 88.323 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$61.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+7.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Wheeling grew 3.6% from $61.75/hr (2019) to $63.96/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.32/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
A part-time pharmacist's annual income can be significantly different from a full-time counterpart. For those working 24 hours per week, the nominal take-home can be around $81,000 annually, making it a viable option for those seeking a work-life balance. Additionally, the reality of per diem pharmacist pay in Wheeling reveals a range of billing rates. In retail, pharmacists tend to earn between $55 and $75 an hour, while clinical positions in hospitals and specialty fields may see earnings from $60 to $95 per hour. Hourly rates can vary widely across employer types in the region; for example, retail chain pharmacists might earn less compared to their counterparts in specialty or outpatient settings, where insurance and benefits may influence hourly wages. Negotiating for higher pay can be strategic, especially when considering the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and the security offered by full-time employment. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for pharmacists navigating their careers in Wheeling, WV.
More salary data for Wheeling, WV:
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 Wheeling. 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