Pharmacist Salary in Atlanta, GA: $142,430 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Atlanta, GA earns a median $142,430/year (≈ $68.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Atlanta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $142,347 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlanta, Georgia, the projected median annual salary for pharmacists in 2026 is set at $142,430, a figure that reflects a competitive market for this profession. The pay range for pharmacists in the area extends from $105,058 at the 10th percentile to $178,773 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a significant disparity in compensation depending on specific roles and qualifications. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that specialized positions, such as hospital clinical specialists, typically command higher salaries than retail pharmacy roles, such as pharmacy-in-charge (PIC) or staff positions. With over 6,120 pharmacists employed in the Atlanta area, the job market remains robust, offering potential for both growth and advancement in diverse settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,058 | $50.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,927 | $61.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,430 | $68.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,637 | $79.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,773 | $85.94 |
Median Salary Position
0.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlanta
In Atlanta, GA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,715 (2026 est.). At $142,430, the local median is 0.74% below the national median of $143,489.
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How Atlanta Pharmacist Pay Compares
Atlanta median: $142,430/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlanta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $136,036 | +4.70% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -0.74% less |
Pharmacists in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $142,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.74% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.70% above the Georgia state average of $136,036.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlanta has a cost of living 0.06% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlanta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 100.058 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,430 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $142,347 — a 0.06% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,250
2025 BLS Actual
$139,870
2026 Current Est.
$142,430
2019–2027 Growth
+14.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,430 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,036 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlanta metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 9.9% from $127,250 (2019) to $139,870 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,036 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,786 (13.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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) | $105,058 – $128,927 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,927 – $142,430 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,430 – $165,637 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,637 – $178,773 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Atlanta
Commentary on the pharmacist pay landscape in Atlanta reveals that the cost of living is slightly above the national average, evidenced by a cost-of-living index of 100.058. This factor influences the purchasing power of salaries in the region. Employers that tend to offer the highest compensation include hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, where services are often more complex and require higher certifications, such as BPS board certification and PGY-1 or PGY-2 residency training. The wage disparity between lower and higher-paying positions often stems from factors like board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the consolidation trends among retail chains, which have created job uncertainties. For pharmacists looking to maximize their earnings in Atlanta GA, pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in hospital settings, and staying attuned to changes in the retail pharmacy landscape are effective strategies.
More salary data for Atlanta, 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 $139,870 for pharmacistsin the Atlanta 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