Pharmacist Salary in Connecticut: $144,645 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Connecticut's 29 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $144,645/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because Connecticut sits at BEA RPP 107.9 (8% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $134,055 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bridgeport ($157,440), Stamford ($155,330), Danbury ($154,146).
Connecticut's pharmacist salaries in 2026 show a favorable position in comparison to national averages, with an employment-weighted average median salary of $144,645, slightly above the national median of $143,489, resulting in a 0.8% increase. The highest paying city is Bridgeport, where pharmacists can earn $160,321, while West Hartford offers the lowest at $133,509, highlighting a salary gap of $26,812. This difference is influenced by factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of pharmacies in urban versus suburban areas. Connecticut has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect pharmacist responsibilities and job availability. Additionally, demand for pharmacists is driven by an aging population and an overall increase in prescription medication use, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 1.83% in the field. The state employs about 3,490 pharmacists, with cities like Stamford, Danbury, Norwich, and New London also offering competitive salaries, ranging from $148,529 to $158,173. Overall, the job market for pharmacists in Connecticut appears positive, reflecting both growth in the profession and strong salary potential across various metro areas.
Connecticut Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Connecticut: $94,220 (lowest entry-level) to $199,060 (highest top earner)
Connecticut vs National Average
Connecticut pharmacists earn 0.81% more than the national median (+$1,156/year difference).
Connecticut Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in Connecticut range from $106,978 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $169,819 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $144,645. The Connecticut median is $1,156 above the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $69.54/hr. Approximately 3,490 pharmacists are employed across 29 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$127,001
2025 BLS Actual
$142,046
2026 Current Est.
$144,645
2019–2027 Growth
+16.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Connecticut (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,951 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,662 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,539 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,503 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,046 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,645 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,292 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Connecticut metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 11.8% from $127,001 (2019) to $142,046 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,292 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,291 (15.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Connecticut 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Connecticut
Lowest Paying Cities in Connecticut
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| West Hartford | $133,509 |
| East Hartford | $134,451 |
| Hartford | $136,798 |
| Cheshire | $137,366 |
| Enfield | $137,672 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in Connecticut
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Connecticut cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $160,321 | 106.864 | $150,023 |
| Norwich | $149,588 | 100.445 | $148,925 |
| Stamford | $158,173 | 107.9 | $146,592 |
| Danbury | $156,967 | 107.9 | $145,475 |
| Waterbury | $140,637 | 99.778 | $140,950 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Connecticut
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $106,978 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $144,645 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $169,819 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Connecticut metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 29 Cities in Connecticut
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport | $160,321 |
| 2 | Stamford | $158,173 |
| 3 | Danbury | $156,967 |
| 4 | Norwich | $149,588 |
| 5 | New London | $148,529 |
| 6 | Manchester | $145,098 |
| 7 | New Haven | $143,876 |
| 8 | Shelton | $143,546 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $143,183 |
| 10 | Bristol | $142,727 |
| 11 | Stratford | $142,522 |
| 12 | Middletown | $142,345 |
| 13 | Meriden | $142,044 |
| 14 | Hamden | $141,576 |
| 15 | Fairfield | $141,474 |
| 16 | New Britain | $141,315 |
| 17 | Milford | $140,676 |
| 18 | Waterbury | $140,637 |
| 19 | West Haven | $140,619 |
| 20 | Torrington | $139,934 |
| 21 | Groton | $139,464 |
| 22 | Vernon | $138,895 |
| 23 | Glastonbury | $138,850 |
| 24 | Naugatuck | $137,868 |
| 25 | Enfield | $137,672 |
| 26 | Cheshire | $137,366 |
| 27 | Hartford | $136,798 |
| 28 | East Hartford | $134,451 |
| 29 | West Hartford | $133,509 |
More Connecticut Salary Data
Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Connecticut in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in Connecticut?
How does Connecticut pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in Connecticut?
How many pharmacists are employed in Connecticut?
Which Connecticut city offers the best value for pharmacists?
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
Statewide 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. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacist compensation across Connecticut. State averages are employment-weighted across 29 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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