Pharmacist Salary in Rio Rancho, NM: $139,419 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Rio Rancho, NM earns a median $139,419/year (≈ $67.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Rio Rancho's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $147,690 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacists in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, are projected to earn a median salary of $139,419 in 2026, reflecting a post-2023 shift in the job market influenced by the consolidation of retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens. The salary spectrum ranges from $94,956 for the lower ten percentile to a notable $176,027 for the top earners. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations. Although the median salary is slightly below the national figure of $143,489, the local job market remains competitive, partly due to shifts in the healthcare landscape where hospital and specialty roles are becoming increasingly prominent.
About the Rio Rancho Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,956 | $45.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,112 | $60.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,419 | $67.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,457 | $78.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,027 | $84.63 |
Median Salary Position
2.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rio Rancho
In Rio Rancho, NM, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,071 (2026 est.). At $139,419, the local median is 2.84% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rio Rancho: You'd be above the median
How Rio Rancho Pharmacist Pay Compares
Rio Rancho median: $139,419/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rio Rancho Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $135,489 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -2.84% less |
Pharmacists in Rio Rancho, NM earn a median of $139,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 2.90% above the New Mexico state average of $135,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rio Rancho has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rio Rancho, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $139,419 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,690 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,457
2025 BLS Actual
$136,913
2026 Current Est.
$139,419
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Rio Rancho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,457 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,059 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,923 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,984 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,171 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,255 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,913 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,419 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,970 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rio Rancho metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $124,457 (2019) to $136,913 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,970 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,513 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rio Rancho 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) | $94,956 – $125,112 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,112 – $139,419 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,419 – $162,457 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,457 – $176,027 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Rio Rancho
Despite the current compensation levels, the job market for pharmacists in Rio Rancho appears stable, with around 16 professionals currently employed in this area. The lower cost of living index at 94.4 suggests that the purchasing power for pharmacists might be relatively favorable compared to other regions. Major employers like CVS, Walgreens, and regional hospitals typically offer competitive pay, with additional compensation available for positions in specialty pharmacies or those requiring advanced board certifications. Variations in salary can often be attributed to the setting, with hospital clinical specialists often earning more than retail pharmacists due to the demands for residency training and the related expertise. For pharmacists aiming to maximize their earnings in Rio Rancho, pursuing board certifications, seeking roles in emerging healthcare settings, and considering shift differentials can prove advantageous in this evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Rio Rancho, NM:
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 $136,913 for pharmacistsin the Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho 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