Pharmacist Salary in Missouri: $140,572 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $140,572/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $156,888 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Cape Girardeau ($141,250), Independence ($139,570), Kansas City ($139,460).
In Missouri, pharmacist salaries are projected to average $140,571 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $143,489, reflecting a gap of -2.0%. The highest-paying city in the state is Cape Girardeau with an average salary of $143,835, while Hannibal offers the lowest at $128,503, indicating a salary differential of $15,332. This discrepancy can largely be attributed to local cost of living, demand for pharmacy services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas such as Cape Girardeau, Independence, and Kansas City. Missouri's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws require pharmacists to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and obtain licensure from the state board, which adds layers to their professional responsibilities. Factors driving demand include an aging population and an increase in chronic diseases, contributing to job security within the field. The total number of pharmacists employed in the state stands at 7,112 with an anticipated annual growth rate of 1.83%, suggesting a steady increase in job opportunities in the coming years. Areas such as Independence, Kansas City, Columbia, and St. Peters also feature competitive salaries, positioning pharmacists well in the Missouri job market.
Missouri Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $81,159 (lowest entry-level) to $186,146 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri pharmacists earn 2.03% less than the national median ($-2,917/year difference).
Missouri Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in Missouri range from $99,589 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $171,504 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $140,572. The Missouri median is $2,917 below the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $67.58/hr. Approximately 7,112 pharmacists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$128,679
2025 BLS Actual
$138,045
2026 Current Est.
$140,572
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,679 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,689 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,867 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,616 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,416 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,731 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,045 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,572 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,144 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 7.3% from $128,679 (2019) to $138,045 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,144 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,465 (11.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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 Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $143,835 | 86.078 | $167,098 |
| Columbia | $141,982 | 89.438 | $158,749 |
| Independence | $142,124 | 89.6 | $158,621 |
| St. Peters | $141,085 | 89.6 | $157,461 |
| St. Charles | $140,821 | 89.6 | $157,166 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $99,589 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $140,572 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $171,504 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape Girardeau | $143,835 |
| 2 | Independence | $142,124 |
| 3 | Kansas City | $142,012 |
| 4 | Columbia | $141,982 |
| 5 | St. Peters | $141,085 |
| 6 | St. Louis | $141,065 |
| 7 | St. Charles | $140,821 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $139,188 |
| 9 | Florissant | $138,460 |
| 10 | Wildwood | $138,157 |
| 11 | Kirkwood | $138,116 |
| 12 | Lee's Summit | $138,039 |
| 13 | Chesterfield | $138,019 |
| 14 | Springfield | $137,460 |
| 15 | University City | $137,294 |
| 16 | Liberty | $137,240 |
| 17 | Grandview | $137,003 |
| 18 | Maryland Heights | $136,776 |
| 19 | Blue Springs | $135,228 |
| 20 | Raytown | $134,421 |
| 21 | St. Joseph | $134,130 |
| 22 | Webster Groves | $133,751 |
| 23 | Sedalia | $133,708 |
| 24 | Ballwin | $133,470 |
| 25 | Nixa | $133,457 |
| 26 | Gladstone | $133,102 |
| 27 | Wentzville | $132,788 |
| 28 | Jefferson City | $132,572 |
| 29 | Belton | $131,666 |
| 30 | Joplin | $130,047 |
| 31 | Branson | $129,415 |
| 32 | Raymore | $128,923 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $128,503 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore pharmacist hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacists.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in Missouri?
How does Missouri pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in Missouri?
How many pharmacists are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri 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 Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 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