Pharmacist Salary in Maryland: $141,191 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $141,191/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $129,177 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($156,153), Gaithersburg ($155,140), Germantown ($155,030).
In Maryland, the average median salary for pharmacists in 2026 is projected to be $141,191, slightly below the national median of $143,489, representing a gap of 1.6%. Among the state's 28 metro areas, Aspen Hill offers the highest average salary at $159,011, while Lexington Park is at the lower end with $135,780, marking a difference of $23,231. This variation can largely be attributed to local cost of living, demand for pharmacists, and the presence of healthcare facilities in these areas. Maryland has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence pharmacist responsibilities and salary. The demand for pharmacists is driven by growth in healthcare services, making this a stable career path. The job market for pharmacists in Maryland is expected to experience a growth rate of 1.83% annually, indicating ongoing opportunities for employment. The top paying cities for pharmacists in 2026 are projected to be Aspen Hill ($159,011), Gaithersburg ($157,979), Germantown ($157,867), Ellicott City ($157,508), and Waldorf ($157,346). These figures can help guide career decisions for those considering pharmacy as a career in Maryland. Understanding local factors and salary trends can inform your career planning effectively.
Maryland Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $97,857 (lowest entry-level) to $195,791 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland pharmacists earn 1.6% less than the national median ($-2,298/year difference).
Maryland Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in Maryland range from $113,812 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $171,601 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $141,191. The Maryland median is $2,298 below the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $67.88/hr. Approximately 3,503 pharmacists are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$121,890
2025 BLS Actual
$138,654
2026 Current Est.
$141,191
2019–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,969 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,463 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,758 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,817 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,654 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,191 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,775 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 13.8% from $121,890 (2019) to $138,654 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,775 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,885 (17.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Lexington Park | $135,780 |
| Salisbury | $135,923 |
| Hagerstown | $139,477 |
| Towson | $140,092 |
| Baltimore | $140,637 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $139,477 | 94.171 | $148,110 |
| Aspen Hill | $159,011 | 109.3 | $145,481 |
| Gaithersburg | $157,979 | 109.3 | $144,537 |
| Germantown | $157,867 | 109.3 | $144,435 |
| Ellicott City | $157,508 | 109.3 | $144,106 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $113,812 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $141,191 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $171,601 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $159,011 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $157,979 |
| 3 | Germantown | $157,867 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $157,508 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $157,346 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $156,811 |
| 7 | Bowie | $156,067 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $155,582 |
| 9 | Frederick | $153,433 |
| 10 | Annapolis | $153,400 |
| 11 | Severn | $153,396 |
| 12 | College Park | $153,096 |
| 13 | Rockville | $152,899 |
| 14 | Silver Spring | $152,824 |
| 15 | Potomac | $152,098 |
| 16 | Bethesda | $151,483 |
| 17 | Dundalk | $151,483 |
| 18 | Odenton | $150,966 |
| 19 | Catonsville | $149,737 |
| 20 | Laurel | $148,982 |
| 21 | Greenbelt | $148,491 |
| 22 | Cumberland | $145,165 |
| 23 | Columbia | $143,175 |
| 24 | Baltimore | $140,637 |
| 25 | Towson | $140,092 |
| 26 | Hagerstown | $139,477 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $135,923 |
| 28 | Lexington Park | $135,780 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacists.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in Maryland?
How does Maryland pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in Maryland?
How many pharmacists are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland city offers the best value for pharmacists?
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
Statewide 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. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacist compensation across Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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