Pharmacist Salary in Minnesota: $162,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $162,722/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $165,200 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rochester ($164,250), Minneapolis ($160,990), St. Paul ($159,374).
The projected average median salary for pharmacists in Minnesota in 2026 is $162,721, which is 13.4% higher than the national median of $143,489. This difference highlights Minnesota's strong demand for pharmaceutical services, driven by its extensive healthcare facilities and evolving patient care models. The highest-paying city is Rochester, where pharmacists can expect to earn $167,256, while St. Cloud ranks as the lowest at $150,230, revealing a salary gap of $17,026. Factors contributing to this disparity include the concentration of healthcare systems, population demographics, and pharmacy services in these areas. Minnesota has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect salaries, with pharmacists enjoying more autonomy in patient care roles compared to some states. The job market for pharmacists remains stable, with a projected growth rate of 1.83% annually. Currently, there are 5,702 pharmacists employed across the state, which reflects a steady demand for qualified professionals. The top five cities with projected salaries in 2026 include Rochester at $167,256, Minneapolis at $163,936, St. Paul at $162,291, Maple Grove at $162,051, and Woodbury at $161,988. This indicates a solid outlook for pharmacists looking to establish or advance their careers in Minnesota.
Minnesota Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $80,507 (lowest entry-level) to $218,048 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota pharmacists earn 13.40% more than the national median (+$19,233/year difference).
Minnesota Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in Minnesota range from $89,986 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $178,152 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $162,722. The Minnesota median is $19,233 above the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $78.23/hr. Approximately 5,702 pharmacists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$137,731
2025 BLS Actual
$159,797
2026 Current Est.
$162,722
2019–2027 Growth
+20.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,731 | Actual |
| 2020 | $136,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,069 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,862 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,253 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,797 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $162,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,699 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 16.0% from $137,731 (2019) to $159,797 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,699 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,968 (20.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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 Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $167,256 | 90.821 | $184,160 |
| Duluth | $157,694 | 88.768 | $177,647 |
| Mankato | $159,883 | 90.955 | $175,783 |
| St. Cloud | $150,230 | 87.632 | $171,433 |
| St. Paul | $162,291 | 98.5 | $164,762 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $89,986 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $162,722 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $178,152 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | $167,256 |
| 2 | Minneapolis | $163,936 |
| 3 | St. Paul | $162,291 |
| 4 | Maple Grove | $162,051 |
| 5 | Woodbury | $161,988 |
| 6 | Eden Prairie | $161,836 |
| 7 | Bloomington | $161,031 |
| 8 | Mankato | $159,883 |
| 9 | Owatonna | $158,716 |
| 10 | Brooklyn Park | $158,507 |
| 11 | Plymouth | $158,228 |
| 12 | Roseville | $158,133 |
| 13 | Chaska | $158,009 |
| 14 | Minnetonka | $157,974 |
| 15 | Cottage Grove | $157,798 |
| 16 | Duluth | $157,694 |
| 17 | Burnsville | $157,671 |
| 18 | Lakeville | $157,088 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $156,979 |
| 20 | Inver Grove Heights | $156,731 |
| 21 | Eagan | $156,708 |
| 22 | Brooklyn Center | $156,669 |
| 23 | Elk River | $156,644 |
| 24 | Prior Lake | $156,482 |
| 25 | Ramsey | $155,912 |
| 26 | Blaine | $155,252 |
| 27 | Apple Valley | $155,011 |
| 28 | Shakopee | $154,857 |
| 29 | Coon Rapids | $154,834 |
| 30 | Savage | $154,584 |
| 31 | Edina | $154,568 |
| 32 | Maplewood | $154,113 |
| 33 | Andover | $154,076 |
| 34 | Richfield | $154,002 |
| 35 | St. Louis Park | $153,988 |
| 36 | Moorhead | $153,765 |
| 37 | Northfield | $152,653 |
| 38 | Hastings | $152,329 |
| 39 | Fridley | $151,644 |
| 40 | Winona | $151,520 |
| 41 | Shoreview | $151,458 |
| 42 | Austin | $151,222 |
| 43 | Faribault | $151,030 |
| 44 | St. Cloud | $150,230 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacists.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in Minnesota?
How many pharmacists are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota 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 Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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