Pharmacist Salary in College Park, MD: $153,096 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in College Park, MD earns a median $153,096/year (≈ $73.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in College Park's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $140,070 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacist salaries in College Park, Maryland, are witnessing notable growth following widespread retail chain consolidation among major players like CVS and Walgreens. The projected 2026 median annual salary stands at $153,096, which is approximately 6.70% above the national median of $143,489. With a salary range that extends from $106,436 at the bottom 10th percentile to $189,476 for those in the 90th percentile, the earning potential reflects the evolving demands and responsibilities in pharmacy practice. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data along with regional price adjustments, reveal a dynamic job market in College Park where compensation is adapting to the changing landscape of the retail pharmacy sector.
About the College Park Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,436 | $51.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,510 | $66.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,096 | $73.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,412 | $85.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,476 | $91.10 |
Median Salary Position
6.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Park
In College Park, MD, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,040 (2026 est.). At $153,096, the local median is 6.7% above the national median of $143,489.
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How College Park Pharmacist Pay Compares
College Park median: $153,096/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | College Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $156,861 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +6.70% more |
Pharmacists in College Park, MD earn a median of $153,096 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.70% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.40% below the Maryland state average of $156,861.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
College Park has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
College Park, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,096 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,070 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$136,667
2025 BLS Actual
$150,345
2026 Current Est.
$153,096
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in College Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $136,667 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,328 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,179 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,639 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,138 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,039 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,345 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,096 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $155,898 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the College Park metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $136,667 (2019) to $150,345 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $155,898 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,231 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Park 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) | $106,436 – $138,510 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,510 – $153,096 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,096 – $177,412 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,412 – $189,476 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in College Park
The local job market features a modest number of positions, with six pharmacists employed in the College Park area. This limited workforce exists within a cost of living that is slightly above the national average, represented by a cost of living index of 109.3, which can influence take-home pay and purchasing power. Key employers in the area include major retail chains, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacies such as CVS Specialty and Accredo, with hospital roles typically offering higher compensation. Factors driving the salary variance include position settings, board certifications, and the impacts of recent layoffs within retail chains. For pharmacists seeking to maximize their pay in College Park, pursuing board certification and considering specialty or hospital positions may provide numerous advantages, especially as the field continues to shift toward clinical roles and away from traditional retail settings.
More salary data for College Park, 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 $150,345 for pharmacistsin the College Park 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 College Park 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