Pharmacist Salary in Derby, KS: $128,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Derby, KS earns a median $128,618/year (≈ $61.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Derby's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $141,494 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Derby, Kansas, a pharmacist can expect to earn a median annual salary of $128,618 in 2026, which reflects the region's unique market dynamics. The salary range encompasses an estimated low of $92,134 and a high of $153,812, suggesting the potential for significant earnings based on skill set and experience. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and projected for 2026, indicate that while pharmacist pay in Derby is competitive locally, it falls approximately 10.36% below the national median of $143,489. Factors such as the residency-trained premium for specialty and hospital roles continue to shape compensation trends in this area, highlighting the importance of advanced qualifications in maximizing earnings.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,134 | $44.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,969 | $56.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,618 | $61.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,776 | $70.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,812 | $73.95 |
Median Salary Position
10.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derby
In Derby, KS, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,678 (2026 est.). At $128,618, the local median is 10.36% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Derby: You'd be above the median
How Derby Pharmacist Pay Compares
Derby median: $128,618/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Derby Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $130,445 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -10.36% less |
Pharmacists in Derby, KS earn a median of $128,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.36% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.40% below the Kansas state average of $130,445.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Derby has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Derby, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $128,618 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,494 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,816
2025 BLS Actual
$126,307
2026 Current Est.
$128,618
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,816 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,371 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,246 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,993 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,933 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,735 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,307 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,972 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Derby metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $114,816 (2019) to $126,307 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,972 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,156 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby 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) | $92,134 – $117,969 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,969 – $128,618 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,618 – $145,776 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,776 – $153,812 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Derby
With only four pharmacists currently employed in Derby, competition for positions may be modest, yet the cost of living index stands at 90.9, indicating a generally affordable lifestyle compared to national averages. This translates to a more favorable take-home pay for pharmacists, as expenses are lower. Among local employers, retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offer competitive wages, while hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies often lead in compensation due to their critical roles in healthcare. The disparity in pay can be attributed to several factors, including specialty board certifications, shift differentials, and the premium associated with residency training. As market dynamics shift, especially with retail layoffs and consolidation trends affecting chains, pharmacists should consider pursuing advanced training and exploring employment in clinical settings or specialty pharmacies to maximize their pharmacist pay in Derby, KS.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
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 $126,307 for pharmacistsin the Derby 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 Derby 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