Pharmacist Salary in Kailua, HI: $169,694 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Kailua, HI earns a median $169,694/year (≈ $81.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Kailua's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $142,241 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for pharmacists in Kailua, HI, is projected to be $169,694, reflecting a significant premium over the national median of $143,489. This salary encompasses a range from $122,878 at the 10th percentile to $204,170 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust variance in compensation based on factors like setting and experience. Local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, reveal that hospital clinical specialists typically earn more than retail pharmacy managers (PICs) and staff pharmacists due to the increased responsibilities and expertise required in clinical environments. The dynamics of Kailua's job market suggest a competitive landscape for pharmacists, driven by the ongoing shifts within the healthcare sector, particularly emphasizing advancements in hospital pharmacy roles.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $122,878 | $59.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $156,752 | $75.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,694 | $81.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $193,470 | $93.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,170 | $98.15 |
Median Salary Position
18.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kailua
In Kailua, HI, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,292 (2026 est.). At $169,694, the local median is 18.26% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kailua: You'd be above the median
How Kailua Pharmacist Pay Compares
Kailua median: $169,694/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kailua Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $171,235 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +18.26% more |
Pharmacists in Kailua, HI earn a median of $169,694 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.26% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.90% below the Hawaii state average of $171,235.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kailua has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kailua, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $169,694 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $142,241 — a 16.18% 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
$151,483
2025 BLS Actual
$166,644
2026 Current Est.
$169,694
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $151,483 | Actual |
| 2020 | $152,216 | Actual |
| 2021 | $152,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $156,994 | Actual |
| 2023 | $160,873 | Actual |
| 2024 | $171,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,644 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,694 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,799 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kailua metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $151,483 (2019) to $166,644 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,799 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,316 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kailua 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) | $122,878 – $156,752 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $156,752 – $169,694 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,694 – $193,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $193,470 – $204,170 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Kailua
The current pharmacist job market in Kailua includes just six employed pharmacists, highlighting a tight labor pool in this scenic region. The cost of living index stands at 119.3, indicating that while salaries may appear attractive, the purchasing power for residents can be impacted by higher living costs typical of Hawaii. Notably, those working for hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty pharmacies like Accredo can often command higher pay, whereas retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens may lag behind, especially in light of recent consolidations and store closures. The salary spread in Kailua is influenced by various factors, including board certification stipends, shift differentials in retail settings, and the increasing value of residency-trained staff. For pharmacists aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications through BPS or engaging in residency programs can significantly enhance their value in this specialized market.
More salary data for Kailua, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Kailua, HI in 2026?
Is Kailua, HI a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Kailua?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Kailua?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Kailua?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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 $166,644 for pharmacistsin the Kailua 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 Kailua 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