Pharmacist Salary in Bear, DE: $139,844 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Bear, DE earns a median $139,844/year (≈ $67.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Bear's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $137,506 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Within Bear, Delaware, pharmacist salaries project a median of $139,844 in 2026. This figure represents a competitive local compensation compared to the national median of $143,489, reflecting the region's market dynamics and cost of living adjustments. Salaries for pharmacists in Bear range from $104,057 at the lower end to $157,690 at the top of the spectrum. The projected figures stem from 2025 BLS data, taking into account local economic conditions and regional price parities. In this area, specialized roles—particularly those filled by residency-trained pharmacists—often command a premium, especially in hospital or specialty settings, highlighting how educational background can influence earnings potential.
About the Bear Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $104,057 | $50.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,796 | $62.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,844 | $67.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,738 | $73.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,690 | $75.81 |
Median Salary Position
2.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bear
In Bear, DE, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,633 (2026 est.). At $139,844, the local median is 2.54% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Bear: You'd be above the median
How Bear Pharmacist Pay Compares
Bear median: $139,844/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bear Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $145,975 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -2.54% less |
Pharmacists in Bear, DE earn a median of $139,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.20% below the Delaware state average of $145,975.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bear has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bear, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,844 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,506 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,837
2025 BLS Actual
$137,331
2026 Current Est.
$139,844
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Bear (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,837 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,441 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,304 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,378 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,575 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,648 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,331 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,844 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bear metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $124,837 (2019) to $137,331 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,566 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bear 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) | $104,057 – $130,796 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,796 – $139,844 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,844 – $153,738 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,738 – $157,690 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Bear
The local market for pharmacists in Bear is relatively limited, with only six employed in the area. This small workforce, combined with a cost of living index of 101.7, suggests that while salaries may appear robust, the purchasing power of these wages may be slightly tempered by local expenses. In Bear, major employers vary in compensation, with hospital and specialty pharmacies typically offering higher salaries compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors like board certifications, residency training, and specific pharmacy setting differentials. For those looking to maximize earnings in this environment, pursuing advanced training such as PGY-1/PGY-2 residencies and obtaining relevant certifications from organizations like the BPS can be advantageous. Given the ongoing consolidation in the retail pharmacy sector, positions in hospital and specialty pharmacies are expected to grow, presenting opportunities for pharmacists who adapt to the changing landscape.
More salary data for Bear, DE:
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 $137,331 for pharmacistsin the Bear 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 Bear 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