Pharmacist Salary in Dalton, GA: $132,430 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Dalton, GA earns a median $132,430/year (≈ $63.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Dalton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.8), that paycheck buys what $147,400 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Dalton, GA, is projected to reflect a median annual income of $132,430, which shows a slight decline of 7.71% from the national median of $143,489. The salary range for pharmacists in this region varies considerably, with the lowest earners (P10) making approximately $109,447, while the highest (P90) can earn up to $172,469. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and it reflects the evolving dynamics in the pharmacy sector, particularly after recent retail chain consolidations. As branches of major players like CVS and Walgreens reduce their footprint, it becomes increasingly important for pharmacists in Dalton to adapt to new opportunities within alternative care settings, including hospital and specialty pharmacy roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,447 | $52.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,155 | $61.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,430 | $63.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,930 | $73.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,469 | $82.92 |
Median Salary Position
7.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dalton
In Dalton, GA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,022 (2026 est.). At $132,430, the local median is 7.71% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dalton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dalton Pharmacist Pay Compares
Dalton median: $132,430/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dalton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $136,105 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -7.71% less |
Pharmacists in Dalton, GA earn a median of $132,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.71% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 2.70% below the Georgia state average of $136,105.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dalton has a cost of living 10.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dalton, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.844 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $132,430 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,400 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,030
2025 BLS Actual
$130,050
2026 Current Est.
$132,430
2019–2027 Growth
+2.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Dalton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,430 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,853 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dalton metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew -1.5% from $132,030 (2019) to $130,050 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,853 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,823 (2.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dalton 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) | $109,447 – $127,155 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,155 – $132,430 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,430 – $151,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,930 – $172,469 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Dalton
The job market for pharmacists in Dalton remains stable, with around 120 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, standing at 89.844, suggests that the relatively lower expenses in Dalton can enhance the purchasing power of pharmacists compared to more expensive regions. Employers who tend to pay the highest salaries include hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies like Accredo, as well as larger entities such as Walmart. It’s crucial for pharmacists to consider factors influencing salary variations, such as specific employer settings—hospital clinical specialists generally warrant higher pay than retail pharmacy positions. To maximize earnings, pursuing board certification or completing a PGY-1 residency can be advantageous, particularly in hospital settings where the demand for clinical skills is rising. With the healthcare industry evolving past 2024, those who remain flexible and seize emerging roles will be better positioned for growth in their careers.
More salary data for Dalton, 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 $130,050 for pharmacistsin the Dalton 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