Pharmacist Salary in St. Paul, MN: $162,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in St. Paul, MN earns a median $162,291/year (≈ $78.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $164,762 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the wake of recent retail chain consolidations, the pharmacist salary in St. Paul, Minnesota, has seen a notable rise, with projections for 2026 indicating a median annual pay of $162,291. This figure not only reflects a local adjustment based on BLS state-level data but also positions St. Paul's compensation above the national median of $143,489 by 13.10%. Salaries vary significantly, with a range stretching from $112,540 at the lower percentile to as high as $218,048 for the top earners. These estimates highlight the ongoing shifts within the job market, as the closure of chain locations prompts an increased demand for pharmacists in alternative settings such as hospitals and specialty pharmacies, reshaping the compensation dynamics across the region.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,540 | $54.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $147,511 | $70.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $162,291 | $78.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,059 | $89.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,048 | $104.83 |
Median Salary Position
13.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,508 (2026 est.). At $162,291, the local median is 13.1% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul Pharmacist Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $162,291/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $159,892 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +13.10% more |
Pharmacists in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $162,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.10% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.50% above the Minnesota state average of $159,892.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $162,291 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $164,762 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$144,874
2025 BLS Actual
$159,374
2026 Current Est.
$162,291
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,874 | Actual |
| 2020 | $145,575 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,417 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,145 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,855 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,294 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,374 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $162,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,260 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $144,874 (2019) to $159,374 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,260 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,386 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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) | $112,540 – $147,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $147,511 – $162,291 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $162,291 – $186,059 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,059 – $218,048 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in St. Paul
With 80 pharmacists currently employed in St. Paul, the local job market remains competitive, yet the cost of living index reflects a modest figure at 98.5, suggesting better purchasing power relative to national averages. Major employers in the region, such as CVS, Walgreens, and specialized hospitals, are likely to offer varying pay scales, with those in inpatient roles and specialty settings generally earning more. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include board certifications, residency training, and shift differentials, particularly for overnight retail roles. Navigating this landscape effectively can be crucial for job seekers; focusing on continuous education and seeking out certifications like BPS can enhance earning potential. Additionally, exploring opportunities in evolving areas like ambulatory care and mail-order operations could provide further financial benefits in this changing environment.
More salary data for St. Paul, MN:
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 $159,374 for pharmacistsin the St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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