Pharmacist Salary in Tampa, FL: $140,515 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Tampa, FL earns a median $140,515/year (≈ $67.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Tampa's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $139,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, the pharmacist salary is projected to reach a median of $140,515 by 2026, marking a slight decline compared to the national figure of $143,489. This figure is informed by 2025 BLS OEWS data and reflects a salary range where compensation can vary significantly from $53,695 at the lower end to a high of $171,981 for top earners. The local pharmacy landscape has been shaped by recent retail chain consolidations, which can impact both job availability and compensation levels across the board. As the retail pharmacy sector contracts, now might be a critical time for pharmacists in Tampa to consider roles in less traditional settings, such as hospitals and specialty pharmacies, where job prospects and pay may be more favorable.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,695 | $25.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,790 | $62.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,515 | $67.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,342 | $77.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,981 | $82.69 |
Median Salary Position
2.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,286 (2026 est.). At $140,515, the local median is 2.07% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tampa: You'd be above the median
How Tampa Pharmacist Pay Compares
Tampa median: $140,515/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tampa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $137,356 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -2.07% less |
Pharmacists in Tampa, FL earn a median of $140,515 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.07% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 2.30% above the Florida state average of $137,356.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tampa has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tampa, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,515 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,275 — a 0.88% 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
$127,980
2025 BLS Actual
$137,990
2026 Current Est.
$140,515
2019–2027 Growth
+11.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,515 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,087 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tampa metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 7.8% from $127,980 (2019) to $137,990 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,107 (11.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa 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) | $53,695 – $130,790 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,790 – $140,515 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,515 – $160,342 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,342 – $171,981 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Tampa
The job market for pharmacists in Tampa is robust, with approximately 3,460 professionals employed in this sector, contributing to a competitive landscape for pharmacy positions. Living costs in the area, with a cost of living index of 100.89, suggest that the purchasing power of pharmacists, while positive, requires careful management. Employers such as nearby hospitals and specialty pharmacies tend to offer higher salaries compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, which face pressure from consolidations affecting compensation structures. Variances in pay can arise from several factors, including board certification stipends, residency training, and specific work environment demands such as shift differentials for overnight positions. Pharmacists aiming to maximize pay in this market should consider attaining advanced certifications, seeking out opportunities in high-demand settings, and gaining residency experience to elevate their professional value.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Tampa, FL in 2026?
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Tampa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Tampa?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Tampa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $137,990 for pharmacistsin the Tampa 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