Pharmacist Salary in Baltimore, MD: $140,637 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Baltimore, MD earns a median $140,637/year (≈ $67.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Baltimore's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.5), that paycheck buys what $134,598 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.3% below the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacists in Baltimore, Maryland are expected to earn a median annual salary of $140,637 in 2026, reflecting the recent changes in the retail pharmacy landscape. This figure, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, is slightly below the national median of $143,489, signaling a competitive but challenging local job market. The salary range for pharmacists in the city runs from $116,168 at the 10th percentile to $171,085 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the disparity often seen within the profession based on individual roles and settings. The impact of post-2023 retail chain consolidation is notable, as many local chains have closed locations, which can influence salary dynamics and job availability in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $116,168 | $55.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,705 | $63.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,637 | $67.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,470 | $75.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,085 | $82.25 |
Median Salary Position
1.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore
In Baltimore, MD, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,917 (2026 est.). At $140,637, the local median is 1.99% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baltimore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baltimore Pharmacist Pay Compares
Baltimore median: $140,637/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baltimore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $156,786 | -10.30% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -1.99% less |
Pharmacists in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $140,637 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.99% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 10.30% below the Maryland state average of $156,786.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baltimore has a cost of living 4.49% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 104.487 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,637 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,598 — a 4.29% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,900
2025 BLS Actual
$138,110
2026 Current Est.
$140,637
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,637 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,211 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baltimore metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 14.2% from $120,900 (2019) to $138,110 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,211 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,311 (18.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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) | $116,168 – $132,705 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,705 – $140,637 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,637 – $157,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,470 – $171,085 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Baltimore
With approximately 2,730 pharmacists currently employed in Baltimore, there are diverse opportunities across various sectors, including retail pharmacy chains, hospitals, and specialty pharmacies. However, the cost of living index is above average at 104.487, which can affect the purchasing power of pharmacists’ salaries. Employers that tend to pay the highest salaries in this market include hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, where positions like clinical specialists or those requiring board certifications can command higher wages compared to traditional retail roles. Factors such as residency training, shift differentials, and certifications can significantly influence take-home pay. In a contracting market, pharmacists seeking to maximize their compensation should consider pursuing advanced certifications, exploring opportunities in specialized settings, or shifting towards clinical roles that typically offer more competitive salaries.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 $138,110 for pharmacistsin the Baltimore 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