Pharmacist Salary in Columbus, NE: $122,600 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Columbus, NE earns a median $122,600/year (≈ $58.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $133,989 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Columbus, NE, sees a median figure of $122,600, which is notably lower than the national median of $143,489, reflecting a difference of about 14.56%. The salary range for pharmacists in this area varies significantly, from $96,218 at the 10th percentile to $147,962 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse opportunities depending on specific job roles and settings. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments reveal that factors such as specialization in hospital clinical roles, retail pharmacy management, and standard staff positions influence pay disparities. While the numbers indicate a healthy outlook with a projected annual growth rate of 1.83%, Columbus's job market reveals the ongoing challenges faced by local pharmacists, especially amid the backdrop of retail chain consolidations impacting employment stability.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,218 | $46.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,297 | $56.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,600 | $58.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,662 | $64.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,962 | $71.14 |
Median Salary Position
14.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, NE, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,744 (2026 est.). At $122,600, the local median is 14.56% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be above the median
How Columbus Pharmacist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $122,600/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $131,264 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -14.56% less |
Pharmacists in Columbus, NE earn a median of $122,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.56% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 6.60% below the Nebraska state average of $131,264.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $122,600 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,989 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,443
2025 BLS Actual
$120,397
2026 Current Est.
$122,600
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,443 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,973 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,425 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,227 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,075 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,397 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,600 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,844 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $109,443 (2019) to $120,397 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,844 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,401 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $96,218 – $118,297 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,297 – $122,600 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,600 – $133,662 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,662 – $147,962 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Columbus
With only four pharmacists employed in Columbus, the job market remains tight, making the cost of living index—91.5—an important context for evaluating take-home pay. While lower than the national average, this index allows for a relatively comfortable lifestyle for pharmacists. Among local employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies tend to offer higher pay compared to retail chains like CVS or Walgreens. The vast pay spread can be attributed to various factors, including the qualifications that come with residency training, board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight roles, and the demand for specialized skills in areas like ambulatory care or clinical pharmacy. For those seeking to maximize their pharmacist pay in Columbus, pursuing additional certifications or residencies as defined by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) along with strategic employment choices can create competitive advantages within this evolving pharmacy landscape.
More salary data for Columbus, NE:
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 $120,397 for pharmacistsin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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