Pharmacist Salary in Tucson, AZ: $150,118 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Tucson, AZ earns a median $150,118/year (≈ $72.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $154,927 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Tucson, Arizona, are projected to earn an impressive median annual salary of $150,118, a figure that exceeds the national median of $143,489 by 4.62%. Salaries in this city present a broad range, from $74,092 at the 10th percentile to as high as $178,579 for those in the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities across various settings. This data is derived from BLS 2025 OEWS surveys, reflecting both the unique local market dynamics and the growing demand for pharmacists in specialized roles. Those with residency training are expected to see higher compensation, particularly within hospital and specialty practices, as the competitive landscape continues to evolve in Tucson.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,092 | $35.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,756 | $63.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,118 | $72.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,934 | $79.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,579 | $85.85 |
Median Salary Position
4.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,487 (2026 est.). At $150,118, the local median is 4.62% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be above the median
How Tucson Pharmacist Pay Compares
Tucson median: $150,118/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $155,401 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +4.62% more |
Pharmacists in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $150,118 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.62% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 3.40% below the Arizona state average of $155,401.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $150,118 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,927 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$141,590
2025 BLS Actual
$147,420
2026 Current Est.
$150,118
2019–2027 Growth
+8.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $141,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,118 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 4.1% from $141,590 (2019) to $147,420 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,275 (7.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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) | $74,092 – $132,756 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,756 – $150,118 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,118 – $164,934 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,934 – $178,579 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Tucson
With approximately 1,010 pharmacists employed in Tucson, the local job market remains robust, especially as retail pharmacy chains face consolidation. The cost of living index in Tucson is sitting at 96.896, which suggests that pharmacists' take-home pay could stretch further relative to national averages. In this context, hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, such as CVS Specialty, typically offer the highest salaries, driven by their need for advanced training and board certifications. Additionally, variances in pay are influenced by factors like shift differentials and the demand for clinical specialists, particularly as pharmacists expand their roles in patient care. To optimize salaries in this market, pursuing board certifications and considering positions in emerging settings may provide significant advantages amidst the changing retail landscape.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
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 $147,420 for pharmacistsin the Tucson 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