Pharmacist Salary in Meridian, MS: $116,576 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Meridian, MS earns a median $116,576/year (≈ $56.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $136,028 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The recent retail chain consolidation has notably impacted the pharmacist salary in Meridian, Mississippi, with the 2026 median annual pay projected to be $116,576. This figure highlights a salary range from $85,446 at the 10th percentile to $137,421 at the 90th percentile, offering a glimpse into the income variability within the profession in this market. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, indicating that while Meridian offers competitive pay for pharmacists, it remains significantly lower than the national median of $143,489. As local employers adjust to the changing landscape of pharmacy practice, aspiring pharmacists should consider these financial parameters in their career planning.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,446 | $41.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,447 | $52.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,576 | $56.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,179 | $63.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,421 | $66.07 |
Median Salary Position
18.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, MS, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,975 (2026 est.). At $116,576, the local median is 18.76% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be above the median
How Meridian Pharmacist Pay Compares
Meridian median: $116,576/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $122,970 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -18.76% less |
Pharmacists in Meridian, MS earn a median of $116,576 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.76% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 5.20% below the Mississippi state average of $122,970.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meridian, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $116,576 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,028 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,066
2025 BLS Actual
$114,481
2026 Current Est.
$116,576
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,066 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,569 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,455 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,851 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,516 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,117 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,481 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,576 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,709 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $104,066 (2019) to $114,481 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,709 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,643 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $85,446 – $108,447 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,447 – $116,576 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,576 – $131,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,179 – $137,421 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Meridian
With only seven pharmacists currently employed in Meridian, the local job market is quite small, which may limit professional opportunities but also suggests a tight-knit community. The cost-of-living index in Meridian stands at 85.7, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, thereby enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. While retail chains like CVS and Walgreens remain primary employers, some positions in hospital settings and specialty pharmacies tend to offer higher wages. The income disparity can often be attributed to factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the increasing demand for hospital roles requiring PGY-1 residency training. For pharmacists looking to optimize their earning potential in Meridian, pursuing advanced certifications and considering employment in settings with greater salary potential, such as hospital inpatient pharmacies, may provide significant advantages.
More salary data for Meridian, MS:
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 $114,481 for pharmacistsin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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