Pharmacist Salary in Kansas City, MO: $142,012 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Kansas City, MO earns a median $142,012/year (≈ $68.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Kansas City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $153,455 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Kansas City, Missouri, is experiencing shifts in pharmacist compensation largely influenced by the ongoing retail chain consolidation that has been occurring since 2023. As of 2026, the median annual salary for pharmacists is projected to be $142,012, only slightly below the projected national median of $143,489. Local pharmacist salaries range from $87,065 at the 10th percentile to $175,585 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant variability. These estimates, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, reveal the changing dynamics in local pay as the market adjusts to the evolving landscape of pharmacy practice in Kansas City.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,065 | $41.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,010 | $63.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,012 | $68.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,576 | $79.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,585 | $84.42 |
Median Salary Position
1.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kansas City
In Kansas City, MO, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,520 (2026 est.). At $142,012, the local median is 1.03% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kansas City: You'd be above the median
How Kansas City Pharmacist Pay Compares
Kansas City median: $142,012/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kansas City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $139,228 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -1.03% less |
Pharmacists in Kansas City, MO earn a median of $142,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.03% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 2.00% above the Missouri state average of $139,228.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kansas City has a cost of living 7.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kansas City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 92.543 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $142,012 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,455 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.06% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$127,700
2025 BLS Actual
$139,460
2026 Current Est.
$142,012
2019–2027 Growth
+13.2%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $135,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,012 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,611 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas City metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 9.2% from $127,700 (2019) to $139,460 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,611 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,911 (13.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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) | $87,065 – $133,010 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,010 – $142,012 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,012 – $165,576 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,576 – $175,585 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Kansas City
The job market for pharmacists in Kansas City remains robust, with approximately 2,640 pharmacists employed in the area. The relatively low cost-of-living index of 92.543 means that take-home purchasing power is enhanced for local pharmacists. While retail chains like CVS and Walgreens have faced challenges, employers such as hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies like Accredo or CVS Specialty are increasingly offering competitive pay. Factors contributing to salary discrepancies include practice setting—hospital clinical specialists tend to earn more than retail pharmacists—along with board certifications and shift differentials. Aspiring pharmacists can maximize their pay potential by pursuing additional training such as residency programs or hospital roles, both of which are becoming increasingly essential in this evolving landscape following recent consolidation.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Kansas City, MO in 2026?
Is Kansas City, MO a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Kansas City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Kansas City?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Kansas City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 $139,460 for pharmacistsin the Kansas 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