Pharmacist Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $176,512 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $176,512/year (≈ $84.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $171,026 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.9% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fairbanks, Alaska, the projected median annual salary for pharmacists in 2026 is $176,512, significantly higher than the national median of $143,489. With salaries ranging from $150,047 at the 10th percentile to $196,114 at the 90th percentile, the earning potential in this northern city reflects the unique demands of hospital and specialty pharmacy roles that typically offer a premium for residency-trained professionals. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, based on 2025 data, reveal that Fairbanks pharmacists earn approximately 23.01% more than their national counterparts. As the healthcare landscape evolves, including pharmacy's expanding role in vaccinations and patient care, the job market in Fairbanks presents attractive opportunities for individuals with advanced training and certifications.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $150,047 | $72.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $166,981 | $80.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $176,512 | $84.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,919 | $87.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,114 | $94.28 |
Median Salary Position
23.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,067 (2026 est.). At $176,512, the local median is 23.01% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be above the median
How Fairbanks Pharmacist Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $176,512/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $152,297 | +15.90% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +23.01% more |
Pharmacists in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $176,512 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.01% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 15.90% above the Alaska state average of $152,297.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairbanks has a cost of living 3.21% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairbanks, AK has a cost-of-living index of 103.208 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $176,512 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $171,026 — a 3.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,940
2025 BLS Actual
$173,340
2026 Current Est.
$176,512
2019–2027 Growth
+37.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $162,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $159,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $167,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $173,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,512 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,742 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 32.4% from $130,940 (2019) to $173,340 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,742 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,802 (37.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairbanks 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $150,047 – $166,981 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $166,981 – $176,512 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $176,512 – $181,919 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,919 – $196,114 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Fairbanks
With 50 pharmacists currently employed in Fairbanks, competition remains balanced amidst the area's moderately high cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 103.208. Retail pharmacy chains such as Walgreens and CVS generally offer lower salaries compared to inpatient and specialty pharmacies, where pharmacists often command higher wages, driven by factors like board certification stipends and shift differentials. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to variations in job responsibilities, with clinical specialists tending to receive the highest compensation. Despite recent contracting in retail pharmacy due to consolidation, opportunities in hospital and specialty settings are projected to grow, making further education and training, like PGY-1 and PGY-2 residency programs, advantageous for maximizing pharmacist pay in Fairbanks, AK. The evolving landscape in pharmacy practice emphasizes the importance of pursuing diverse roles to enhance professional advancement and earning potential.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $173,340 for pharmacistsin the Fairbanks metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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