Pharmacist Salary in Athens, GA: $134,650 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Athens, GA earns a median $134,650/year (≈ $64.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $144,253 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the pharmacist salary in 2026 is projected at $134,650 annually, reflecting a competitive position within the local job market. This figure represents the middle ground of a salary range that spans from $80,395 at the 10th percentile to $165,891 at the 90th percentile. According to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, the pay structure varies significantly depending on the pharmacist's role, with hospital clinical specialists generally earning more than their counterparts in retail settings, such as pharmacists in charge (PICs) and staff positions. This salary division highlights the demand for specialized skills within Athens's healthcare scene, indicating potential opportunities for prospective pharmacists to enhance their earning power through advanced certifications or residency training.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,395 | $38.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,762 | $59.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,650 | $64.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,531 | $68.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,891 | $79.75 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,496 (2026 est.). At $134,650, the local median is 6.16% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be above the median
How Athens Pharmacist Pay Compares
Athens median: $134,650/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $136,147 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -6.16% less |
Pharmacists in Athens, GA earn a median of $134,650 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.10% below the Georgia state average of $136,147.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $134,650 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,253 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,390
2025 BLS Actual
$132,230
2026 Current Est.
$134,650
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,650 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,114 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 9.8% from $120,390 (2019) to $132,230 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,114 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,724 (13.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $80,395 – $124,762 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,762 – $134,650 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,650 – $142,531 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,531 – $165,891 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Athens
Analyzing the local employment landscape, Athens has around 330 pharmacists whose compensation must also consider the cost of living, which is indexed at 93.343, indicating a relatively affordable environment for residents. Major employers in the region include retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, along with hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies that often offer higher pay scales. The disparity in compensation is influenced by various factors including board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the demand for residency-trained professionals amidst the backdrop of recent retail chain consolidations. For pharmacists in Athens GA looking to maximize their salaries, pursuing advanced certifications from organizations such as BPS or ASHP, and seeking roles within expanding sectors like hospital or specialty pharmacies can lead to higher financial rewards in this evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
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 $132,230 for pharmacistsin the Athens 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