Pharmacist Salary in Surprise, AZ: $155,016 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Surprise, AZ earns a median $155,016/year (≈ $74.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Surprise's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $157,377 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacists in Surprise, Arizona, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $155,016 in 2026, a figure that exceeds the national median of $143,489 by 8.03%. The local salary range varies significantly, from $110,793 at the lower end (P10) to $195,922 at the upper end (P90), highlighting the potential for differences based on experience and job setting. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, reflecting how factors such as residency training can lead to higher compensation in specialized hospital roles compared to those in retail settings. Overall, the job market in Surprise shows promise, particularly as the demand for pharmacists continues to grow amid evolving healthcare delivery methods.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $110,793 | $53.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $142,587 | $68.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,016 | $74.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,752 | $86.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,922 | $94.19 |
Median Salary Position
8.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Surprise
In Surprise, AZ, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,129 (2026 est.). At $155,016, the local median is 8.03% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Surprise: You'd be above the median
How Surprise Pharmacist Pay Compares
Surprise median: $155,016/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Surprise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $155,326 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +8.03% more |
Pharmacists in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $155,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.03% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $155,326.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Surprise has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Surprise, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $155,016 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,377 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$138,380
2025 BLS Actual
$152,230
2026 Current Est.
$155,016
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $138,899 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,414 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,958 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,016 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,853 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Surprise metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $138,380 (2019) to $152,230 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,853 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,473 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise 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) | $110,793 – $142,587 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $142,587 – $155,016 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,016 – $180,752 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,752 – $195,922 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Surprise
Employment for pharmacists in Surprise comprises about 31 professionals, indicating a relatively small but focused job market, where competition can drive wages. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which impacts take-home pay and purchasing power. Those seeking higher pharmacist pay in Surprise AZ should consider prospects with hospital pharmacies and specialty settings, which generally offer better compensation than retail positions. Various factors contribute to salary differences, including certifications such as BCPS or BCACP, specialty training, and the shift patterns common in retail. With ongoing retail pharmacy consolidation, understanding the nuances of the local job market and pursuing advanced certifications or residency training can enhance prospects for maximizing pharmacist salary in Surprise.
More salary data for Surprise, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Surprise, AZ in 2026?
Is Surprise, AZ a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Surprise?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Surprise?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Surprise?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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 $152,230 for pharmacistsin the Surprise 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
Salary data for Surprise is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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