Pharmacist Salary in Honolulu, HI: $182,150 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Honolulu, HI earns a median $182,150/year (≈ $87.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $152,682 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Honolulu, Hawaii can expect to earn a median annual salary of $182,150, significantly higher than the national figure of $143,489. The local pharmacist salary in Honolulu demonstrates a wide range, with entry-level positions starting around $119,650 and top earners making as much as $227,594. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for cost of living, which in Honolulu is notably elevated at a cost-of-living index of 119.3. This salary structure reflects a divide within the profession, as hospital clinical specialists tend to command higher salaries compared to retail pharmacists, such as pharmacy-in-charge positions and staff roles, which generally offer lower compensation. Further insights into the pharmacy job market in Honolulu indicate that these discrepancies are influenced by factors such as work setting, advanced training, and board certification.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $119,650 | $57.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $159,897 | $76.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $182,150 | $87.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $214,077 | $102.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $227,594 | $109.42 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,944 (2026 est.). At $182,150, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be above the median
How Honolulu Pharmacist Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $182,150/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $171,194 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +26.94% more |
Pharmacists in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $182,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $171,194.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $182,150 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,682 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$162,603
2025 BLS Actual
$178,877
2026 Current Est.
$182,150
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $162,603 | Actual |
| 2020 | $163,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $163,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $168,518 | Actual |
| 2023 | $172,682 | Actual |
| 2024 | $184,068 | Actual |
| 2025 | $178,877 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $182,150 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $185,484 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $162,603 (2019) to $178,877 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $185,484 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,881 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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) | $119,650 – $159,897 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $159,897 – $182,150 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $182,150 – $214,077 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $214,077 – $227,594 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Honolulu
The local landscape for pharmacist pay in Honolulu HI is shaped by the employment of around 68 pharmacists in various sectors, including retail chains and hospitals. As pharmacy consolidation progresses notably in retail environments with major chains like CVS and Walgreens reducing locations, opportunities in hospital settings and specialty pharmacies are on the rise. The cost-of-living reality impacts take-home pay significantly, as the inflated index suggests higher expenses for basic necessities. Employers such as inpatient hospitals and specialty pharmaceutical companies may offer the highest salaries, partially due to demand for board-certified professionals and residency-trained individuals. To maximize pharmacist pay in Honolulu, pharmacists should consider pursuing further board certifications, participating in PGY-1 or PGY-2 residencies, and seeking roles that offer shift differentials or are strategically located in high-demand healthcare facilities.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
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 $178,877 for pharmacistsin the Honolulu 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
Salary data for Honolulu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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