Pharmacist Salary in Stratford, CT: $142,522 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Stratford, CT earns a median $142,522/year (≈ $68.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Stratford's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $132,087 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Stratford, Connecticut, the evolving landscape of pharmacy due to retail chain consolidation has had a notable impact on pharmacist pay. In 2026, the median annual salary is projected to be $142,522, which is slightly below the national median of $143,489. Pharmacists in this area can expect to earn between $95,382 and $171,150, indicating a diverse salary spectrum influenced by factors like experience and workplace setting. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost levels; such insights are crucial for understanding how much do pharmacists make in Stratford, particularly against the backdrop of a contracting retail pharmacy market.
About the Stratford Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,382 | $45.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,561 | $64.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,522 | $68.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,277 | $77.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,150 | $82.28 |
Median Salary Position
0.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stratford
In Stratford, CT, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,768 (2026 est.). At $142,522, the local median is 0.67% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stratford: You'd be above the median
How Stratford Pharmacist Pay Compares
Stratford median: $142,522/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stratford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $143,817 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -0.67% less |
Pharmacists in Stratford, CT earn a median of $142,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.67% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.90% below the Connecticut state average of $143,817.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stratford has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stratford, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,522 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,087 — a 7.32% reduction.
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
$127,227
2025 BLS Actual
$139,961
2026 Current Est.
$142,522
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Stratford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,227 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,843 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,704 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,856 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,114 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,501 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,961 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,522 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,130 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stratford metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $127,227 (2019) to $139,961 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,130 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,903 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stratford 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) | $95,382 – $134,561 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,561 – $142,522 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,522 – $161,277 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,277 – $171,150 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Stratford
With only 13 pharmacists currently employed in Stratford, job market dynamics are shifting as the demand for clinical specialists and specialty positions grows. The cost of living index in the area stands at 107.9, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be impacted by higher living expenses. Among local employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies like Accredo tend to offer higher salaries compared to traditional retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Factors such as board certification stipends, overnight shift differentials, and the premium associated with residency training can drive variations in pay. To maximize earnings in this market, pharmacists should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in higher-paying settings, and being open to exploring both clinical and retail opportunities in light of the ongoing shifts in the pharmacy profession.
More salary data for Stratford, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Stratford, CT in 2026?
Is Stratford, CT a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Stratford?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Stratford?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Stratford?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Connecticut
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 $139,961 for pharmacistsin the Stratford 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 Stratford 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