Pharmacist Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $136,147 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $136,147/year (≈ $65.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $152,460 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nicholasville, Kentucky, the projected median annual salary for pharmacists in 2026 is $136,147. While this figure is slightly below the national median of $143,489, it reflects the local market dynamics. The salary range spans from $97,095 at the 10th percentile to $157,321 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a healthy range for career progression. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, indicate that higher pay is typically found in hospital and specialty roles, which often favor residency-trained candidates. With only six pharmacists currently employed in the area, opportunities may be competitive, emphasizing the importance of specialization and advanced training for negotiating salaries in Nicholasville.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,095 | $46.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,689 | $59.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,147 | $65.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,271 | $72.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,321 | $75.64 |
Median Salary Position
5.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,226 (2026 est.). At $136,147, the local median is 5.12% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be above the median
How Nicholasville Pharmacist Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $136,147/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $138,220 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -5.12% less |
Pharmacists in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $136,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.12% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $138,220.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $136,147 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,460 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,536
2025 BLS Actual
$133,700
2026 Current Est.
$136,147
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,536 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,124 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,991 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,958 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,935 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,147 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,638 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $121,536 (2019) to $133,700 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,638 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,102 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville 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) | $97,095 – $124,689 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,689 – $136,147 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,147 – $151,271 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,271 – $157,321 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Nicholasville
The Nicholasville job market currently reflects a cost of living index of 89.3, indicating that expenses are lower than the national average. This could enhance the take-home purchasing power for pharmacists, enabling them to maintain a comfortable lifestyle despite the slight disparity in salary compared to national averages. Among the top employers in the area, retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offer competitive pay, particularly for positions that require advanced certifications or specialty training. The disparity in compensation is often driven by factors such as experience level, board certification stipends, and shift differentials for overnight retail work. In light of the ongoing retail chain consolidation affecting job security, pharmacists in Nicholasville would benefit from pursuing board certifications, such as the BPS credentials, or seeking residency training to enhance their qualifications and salary prospects. Exploring roles in hospital pharmacies or specialty areas may yield higher pay, as demand in these sectors tends to remain robust even amid industry shifts.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $133,700 for pharmacistsin the Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville 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