Pharmacist Salary in Tempe, AZ: $156,008 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Tempe, AZ earns a median $156,008/year (≈ $75.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Tempe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $158,384 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Tempe is projected to reach a median of $156,008, surpassing the national average of $143,489 by 8.72%. Salary distribution shows a wide range, with lower-end earners making about $113,049 and top pharmacists approaching $189,079 annually. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, reflect the regional price parities of Arizona and the local job market's demands for skilled pharmacists, especially those with residency training in specialized fields. Tempe is witnessing a significant need for pharmacists, particularly those in hospital and specialty roles, where the premium for residency-trained professionals can bolster earning potential.
About the Tempe Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,049 | $54.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $144,671 | $69.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $156,008 | $75.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,099 | $85.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,079 | $90.90 |
Median Salary Position
8.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tempe
In Tempe, AZ, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,030 (2026 est.). At $156,008, the local median is 8.72% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tempe: You'd be above the median
How Tempe Pharmacist Pay Compares
Tempe median: $156,008/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tempe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $155,386 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +8.72% more |
Pharmacists in Tempe, AZ earn a median of $156,008 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.72% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $155,386.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tempe 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.
Tempe, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $156,008 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $158,384 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
$139,265
2025 BLS Actual
$153,204
2026 Current Est.
$156,008
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Tempe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,265 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $139,787 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,332 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,898 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,504 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,204 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,008 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,863 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tempe metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $139,265 (2019) to $153,204 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,863 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,598 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tempe 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) | $113,049 – $144,671 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $144,671 – $156,008 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $156,008 – $177,099 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,099 – $189,079 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Tempe
With 43 pharmacists currently employed in Tempe, the city's job market demonstrates a steady demand amid a competitive landscape. The cost-of-living index in Tempe is notably below the national average at 98.5, implying that salaries may stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Among local employers, specialty pharmacies like Accredo and hospital settings tend to offer the most lucrative positions, capitalizing on the high demand for clinical expertise. Factors contributing to the salary variance in Tempe include the impact of board certifications, shift differentials, and the growing trend of retail chain consolidations influencing hiring practices. For pharmacists looking to maximize their pay in Tempe, pursuing additional certifications and gaining experience in inpatient and specialty areas will be crucial in navigating the evolving job environment.
More salary data for Tempe, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Tempe, AZ in 2026?
Is Tempe, AZ a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Tempe?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Tempe?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Tempe?
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 $153,204 for pharmacistsin the Tempe 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 Tempe 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