Pharmacist Salary in Benton, AR: $134,874 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Benton, AR earns a median $134,874/year (≈ $64.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $155,206 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $134,874 in 2026, pharmacist compensation in Benton, Arkansas reflects a competitive landscape, especially when considering the unique roles within the field. Salaries can range from $94,567 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as high as $159,555 for top earners (90th percentile), indicating a notable disparity driven by varying responsibilities. Pharmacists in clinical hospital roles typically earn more than those in retail settings, such as pharmacists in charge (PICs) or retail staff, which impacts overall pay. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data projected into 2026, adjusted for local market conditions, providing valuable insights for those considering a career in pharmacy in Benton.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,567 | $45.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,616 | $58.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,874 | $64.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,807 | $72.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,555 | $76.71 |
Median Salary Position
6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,988 (2026 est.). At $134,874, the local median is 6% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be above the median
How Benton Pharmacist Pay Compares
Benton median: $134,874/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $137,626 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -6.00% less |
Pharmacists in Benton, AR earn a median of $134,874 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.00% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $137,626.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $134,874 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $155,206 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,400
2025 BLS Actual
$132,450
2026 Current Est.
$134,874
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,982 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,851 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,863 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,416 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,874 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,342 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $120,400 (2019) to $132,450 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,342 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,942 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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) | $94,567 – $122,616 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,616 – $134,874 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,874 – $151,807 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,807 – $159,555 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Benton
In Benton, the local pharmacy job market employs five pharmacists, which adds to the competitive environment for roles within the area. The cost of living index stands at 86.9, indicating that despite a slightly lower average salary compared to the national median of $143,489, pharmacists in Benton may find their purchasing power relatively stable. Employers such as hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacy operations often provide higher salaries compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, which are experiencing closures due to industry consolidation. Salary discrepancies can arise from various factors, including board certification stipends and differences in work settings, as well as demand for skilled pharmacists in clinical positions. To maximize earnings in Benton, securing a role in a hospital or obtaining relevant board certifications such as BPS can position pharmacists for both higher pay and job stability.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 $132,450 for pharmacistsin the Benton 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 Benton 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