Pharmacist Salary in Lafayette, LA: $134,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Lafayette, LA earns a median $134,548/year (≈ $64.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $154,282 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the projected median annual salary for pharmacists stands at $134,548 for 2026, reflecting a notable distinction among various roles within the profession. Hospital clinical specialists often command higher wages, generally surpassing their counterparts in retail positions, while Pharmacists-in-Charge (PICs) at retail chains like CVS or Walgreens typically earn at a moderate level. The salary range for pharmacists in Lafayette varies significantly, from $110,048 at the 10th percentile to $159,211 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse opportunities available in this city. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicating a competitive landscape in comparison to the national average salary of $143,489. Lafayette's job market offers various potential pathways for pharmacists, with dynamics shaped by factors such as board certification, work setting, and recent changes in retail operations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $110,048 | $52.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,334 | $62.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,548 | $64.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,499 | $66.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,211 | $76.55 |
Median Salary Position
6.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,163 (2026 est.). At $134,548, the local median is 6.23% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Pharmacist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $134,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $136,044 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -6.23% less |
Pharmacists in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $134,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.23% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.10% below the Louisiana state average of $136,044.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $134,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,282 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,310
2025 BLS Actual
$132,130
2026 Current Est.
$134,548
2019–2027 Growth
+17.8%
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 | $116,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,010 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 13.6% from $116,310 (2019) to $132,130 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,010 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,700 (17.80%) 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) | $110,048 – $129,334 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,334 – $134,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,548 – $138,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,499 – $159,211 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Lafayette
The pharmacy sector in Lafayette currently employs around 540 pharmacists, providing a stable employment base despite the challenges posed by a cost-of-living index of 87.209, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living enhances the take-home purchasing power for local pharmacists, making Lafayette a more attractive option compared to other regions. Employers offering competitive salaries include hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies like Accredo, which tend to provide higher compensation due to the specialized skills required. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors, including board certification stipends, shift differentials, and residency training, which are increasingly valued in the evolving healthcare environment. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing hospital-based positions or acquiring relevant certifications can significantly enhance overall pharmacist pay in Lafayette, LA, especially in light of the retail pharmacy market’s shifting landscape.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
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 $132,130 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