Pharmacist Salary in Billings, MT: $144,680 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Billings, MT earns a median $144,680/year (≈ $69.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $154,695 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacists in Billings, Montana are projected to earn a median annual salary of $144,680 in 2026, reflecting a market that is slightly higher than the national median of $143,489. The salary range for this role varies significantly from $126,381 at the 10th percentile to $166,787 at the 90th percentile, indicating strong earning potential for those with specialized training. Official BLS OEWS data reveals that the robust compensation is influenced by the increasing demand for residency-trained pharmacists, who often secure higher salaries in hospital or specialty roles. As the pharmacy sector evolves, particularly in response to retail chain consolidations and an expanding scope of practice, Billings presents a competitive environment for pharmacists seeking to maximize their career earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $126,381 | $60.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,719 | $65.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,680 | $69.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,645 | $80.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,787 | $80.19 |
Median Salary Position
0.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,406 (2026 est.). At $144,680, the local median is 0.83% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Billings Pharmacist Pay Compares
Billings median: $144,680/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $143,489 | +0.83% more |
Pharmacists in Billings, MT earn a median of $144,680 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.83% higher than the national median of $143,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $144,680 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,695 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,700
2025 BLS Actual
$142,080
2026 Current Est.
$144,680
2019–2027 Growth
+20.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,680 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,328 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 15.8% from $122,700 (2019) to $142,080 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,328 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,628 (20.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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) | $126,381 – $135,719 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,719 – $144,680 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,680 – $166,645 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,645 – $166,787 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Billings
With 240 pharmacists currently employed in the area, Billings's job market is showing promising strength, especially considering the cost of living index is relatively low at 93.526. This suggests that pharmacists can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while taking home a substantial portion of their pay. Employers such as hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, and mail-order operations often pay more than traditional retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the premium associated with residency training. As retail pharmacies face market challenges, pharmacists can enhance their earning potential by pursuing advanced certifications and considering roles in clinical settings. Maximizing income in Billings requires strategic career choices, focusing on areas with high demand and better compensation structures.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 $142,080 for pharmacistsin the Billings 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