Pharmacist Salary in Dover, DE: $154,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Dover, DE earns a median $154,710/year (≈ $74.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $158,666 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacists in Dover, Delaware, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $154,710 in 2026, reflecting the ongoing effects of consolidation within the retail pharmacy sector. The estimated salary range for pharmacists in this area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $86,423, while experienced professionals may command as much as $188,111. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that pharmacist pay in Dover DE is competitive, especially when compared to the national median annual salary of $143,489. The local job market is influenced by recent closures of retail chain locations, which have prompted many pharmacists to explore positions in expanding areas such as hospital pharmacy, specialty pharmacies, and mail-order operations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,423 | $41.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,793 | $62.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,710 | $74.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,111 | $90.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,111 | $90.44 |
Median Salary Position
7.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,688 (2026 est.). At $154,710, the local median is 7.82% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be above the median
How Dover Pharmacist Pay Compares
Dover median: $154,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $145,953 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +7.82% more |
Pharmacists in Dover, DE earn a median of $154,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.82% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 6.00% above the Delaware state average of $145,953.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $154,710 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $158,666 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$141,180
2025 BLS Actual
$151,930
2026 Current Est.
$154,710
2019–2027 Growth
+11.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $141,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,542 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 7.6% from $141,180 (2019) to $151,930 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,542 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,362 (11.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $86,423 – $129,793 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,793 – $154,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,710 – $188,111 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,111 – $188,111 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Dover
In Dover, the employment climate features about 90 pharmacists, providing a stable job market albeit impacted by the lower cost-of-living index of 97.507. This figure suggests that while salaries may appear substantial, actual take-home pay may offer decreased purchasing power relative to other regions. Major employers like CVS, Walgreens, and various hospital systems likely offer the highest compensation, particularly for pharmacists with board certifications, residency training, or those in specialized positions. Factors contributing to salary variance include the setting—hospital clinical roles generally pay more than retail positions—along with certifications and experience levels that can enhance earning potential significantly. To maximize pharmacist pay in Dover, individuals should consider pursuing advanced qualifications like BPS board certifications or gaining residency training, which are increasingly sought after in the competitive job market following the retail landscape shifts.
More salary data for Dover, 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 $151,930 for pharmacistsin the Dover 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
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