Pharmacist Salary in Lafayette, IN: $125,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Lafayette, IN earns a median $125,241/year (≈ $60.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $134,048 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.5% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Indiana, the projected 2026 median salary for pharmacists stands at $125,241, which reflects a notable decrease compared to the national median of $143,489. The salary landscape in this city shows considerable variation, with earnings ranging from $42,463 at the 10th percentile to $160,749 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The ongoing consolidation within retail pharmacy chains has exerted considerable pressure on local pay rates, often leading to reduced staffing in larger stores while simultaneously driving demand for pharmacists in more specialized roles. As the market reshapes, Lafayette's pharmacists may find increased opportunities in hospital settings and specialty pharmacies offering more competitive compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,463 | $20.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,463 | $20.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,241 | $60.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,829 | $73.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,749 | $77.29 |
Median Salary Position
12.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, IN, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,286 (2026 est.). At $125,241, the local median is 12.72% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Pharmacist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $125,241/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $146,480 | -14.50% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -12.72% less |
Pharmacists in Lafayette, IN earn a median of $125,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.72% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 14.50% below the Indiana state average of $146,480.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 6.57% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $125,241 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,048 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,430
2025 BLS Actual
$122,990
2026 Current Est.
$125,241
2019–2027 Growth
+5.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,533 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 1.3% from $121,430 (2019) to $122,990 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,533 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,103 (5.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $42,463 – $42,463 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,463 – $125,241 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,241 – $151,829 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,829 – $160,749 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Lafayette
With 290 pharmacists employed in Lafayette, the local job market maintains a dynamic yet challenging environment. The cost of living index at 93.43 indicates that while salaries are lower than the national average, the purchasing power can be relatively strong. Hospitals and specialty pharmacy chains are among the top payers in the region, often providing higher wages compared to retail settings. The gaps in salary can be attributed to various factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials in retail roles, and the impact of hospital clinical specialist positions. To maximize earnings potential, pursuing additional certifications through organizations like BPS, completing a PGY-1 residency, or considering employment in high-paying sectors like mail-order pharmacies can be advantageous strategies for pharmacists in Lafayette.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
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 $122,990 for pharmacistsin the Lafayette 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