Pharmacist Salary in Jefferson City, MO: $132,572 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Jefferson City, MO earns a median $132,572/year (≈ $63.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Jefferson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $150,693 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Jefferson City, Missouri, stands at a median of $132,572, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $143,489. This discrepancy can be attributed in part to the recent consolidation trends among retail pharmacy chains, which have impacted local pay rates. Furthermore, the salary range for pharmacists in the area spans from $111,830 at the 10th percentile to $161,411 at the 90th percentile, based on official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. As the job market adjusts in response to major retail chain contractions, pharmacists in Jefferson City are navigating a complex employment landscape, where opportunities may be shifting from traditional retail settings to expanding roles in healthcare facilities and specialty pharmacies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $111,830 | $53.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,677 | $60.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,572 | $63.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,639 | $74.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,411 | $77.60 |
Median Salary Position
7.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jefferson City
In Jefferson City, MO, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,581 (2026 est.). At $132,572, the local median is 7.61% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jefferson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jefferson City Pharmacist Pay Compares
Jefferson City median: $132,572/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jefferson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $139,257 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -7.61% less |
Pharmacists in Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $132,572 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.61% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.80% below the Missouri state average of $139,257.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jefferson City has a cost of living 12.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jefferson City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 87.975 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $132,572 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,693 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,390
2025 BLS Actual
$130,190
2026 Current Est.
$132,572
2019–2027 Growth
+6.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,572 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,999 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jefferson City metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 3.0% from $126,390 (2019) to $130,190 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,999 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,609 (6.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jefferson City 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) | $111,830 – $126,677 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,677 – $132,572 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,572 – $154,639 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,639 – $161,411 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Jefferson City
With 100 pharmacists currently employed in Jefferson City, the local job market remains reasonably stable, though the cost of living index, at 87.975, suggests that take-home salaries can stretch further than in many other regions. This relative affordability can be appealing, especially for those considering various employment opportunities such as hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty pharmacy roles. Employers like CVS, Walgreens, and hospital systems tend to offer some of the most competitive compensation packages, particularly in clinical specialist roles where board certification can command higher salaries. Variations in compensation often result from factors like certifications, work settings, and market demand, especially as the retail landscape continues to evolve post-2024. Pharmacists looking to maximize their pay in Jefferson City should focus on acquiring additional training, such as residency programs, and explore diverse job settings that may offer more lucrative employment opportunities amidst changing industry dynamics.
More salary data for Jefferson City, MO:
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 $130,190 for pharmacistsin the Jefferson City 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
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