Pharmacist Salary in Centennial, CO: $162,252 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Centennial, CO earns a median $162,252/year (≈ $78.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Centennial's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $154,526 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Centennial, CO, is projected to reach a median of $162,252, which represents a significant increase compared to the national median of $143,489. This robust salary structure reflects the impact of recent retail chain consolidations on local pay, creating a competitive environment for pharmacist compensation. Salaries will range from $108,635 at the 10th percentile to $212,084 at the 90th percentile, emphasizing the varying pay based on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, highlighting the strong financial prospects for pharmacists in Centennial as the job market adjusts to evolving healthcare demands.
About the Centennial Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,635 | $52.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $143,690 | $69.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $162,252 | $78.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,526 | $88.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,084 | $101.96 |
Median Salary Position
13.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Centennial
In Centennial, CO, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,449 (2026 est.). At $162,252, the local median is 13.08% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Centennial: You'd be above the median
How Centennial Pharmacist Pay Compares
Centennial median: $162,252/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Centennial Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $152,924 | +6.10% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +13.08% more |
Pharmacists in Centennial, CO earn a median of $162,252 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.08% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 6.10% above the Colorado state average of $152,924.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Centennial has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Centennial, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $162,252 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $154,526 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$144,840
2025 BLS Actual
$159,336
2026 Current Est.
$162,252
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Centennial (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $145,541 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,382 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,109 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,818 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,479 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,336 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $162,252 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,221 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Centennial metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $144,840 (2019) to $159,336 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,221 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,381 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Centennial 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) | $108,635 – $143,690 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $143,690 – $162,252 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $162,252 – $183,526 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,526 – $212,084 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Centennial
The local job market for pharmacists in Centennial is strong, with 16 pharmacists currently employed in the area. The cost of living index is 105, slightly above the national average, which suggests that while salaries may be high, the purchasing power may be impacted by living costs. Among local employers, retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens tend to offer competitive salaries, but opportunities in hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty roles may provide even higher compensation, particularly for those with board certifications or residency training. Factors contributing to the wide salary range include the work setting—hospital clinical specialists typically earn more than retail pharmacists—and additional incentives such as certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight shifts, and the recent impact of retail chain layoffs. For pharmacists looking to maximize their pay in Centennial, pursuing advanced certifications and considering roles in high-demand specialties will be essential strategies.
More salary data for Centennial, CO:
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 $159,336 for pharmacistsin the Centennial 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 Centennial 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