Pharmacist Salary in New York: $143,341 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $143,341/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $123,676 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Ithaca ($151,780), Syracuse ($149,510), Yonkers ($143,688).
In 2026, the average median salary for pharmacists in New York is projected to be $143,341, which is slightly below the national median of $143,489, reflecting a variance of -0.1%. There is a significant salary gap among cities, with Ithaca offering the highest salary at $154,558, while Rome has the lowest at $130,897. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for pharmacists, and local healthcare infrastructure. Pharmacists in New York face specific state licensing requirements, which include passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and fulfilling internship requirements. New York also has evolving scope of practice laws that may allow pharmacists to perform additional responsibilities, thereby increasing their value in the healthcare system. As of 2026, the total number of employed pharmacists in the state stands at 25,930, with a projected growth rate of 1.83% annually, indicating steady demand for their services. Metropolitan areas like Syracuse, Yonkers, Watertown, and Elmira also show promising salary figures, with averages ranging from $145,250 to $152,246, which further illustrates the variations in pharmacist compensation across New York state.
New York Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $72,503 (lowest entry-level) to $192,801 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York pharmacists earn 0.1% less than the national median ($-148/year difference).
New York Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in New York range from $98,118 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $177,163 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $143,341. The New York median is $148 below the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $68.91/hr. Approximately 25,930 pharmacists are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$123,195
2025 BLS Actual
$140,765
2026 Current Est.
$143,341
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,195 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,583 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,384 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,796 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,765 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,341 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,964 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 14.3% from $123,195 (2019) to $140,765 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,964 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,769 (18.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Rome | $130,897 |
| Cortland | $131,344 |
| Plattsburgh | $131,742 |
| Utica | $132,247 |
| Oneonta | $133,114 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | $145,871 | 87.69 | $166,349 |
| Syracuse | $152,246 | 95.742 | $159,017 |
| Elmira | $145,250 | 94.398 | $153,870 |
| Binghamton | $140,648 | 92.863 | $151,458 |
| Ithaca | $154,558 | 103.317 | $149,596 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $98,118 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $143,341 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $177,163 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ithaca | $154,558 |
| 2 | Syracuse | $152,246 |
| 3 | Yonkers | $146,317 |
| 4 | Watertown | $145,871 |
| 5 | Elmira | $145,250 |
| 6 | Kingston | $144,965 |
| 7 | Poughkeepsie | $144,840 |
| 8 | New York | $143,906 |
| 9 | New Rochelle | $143,301 |
| 10 | Kiryas Joel | $142,643 |
| 11 | Troy | $141,979 |
| 12 | Mount Vernon | $141,697 |
| 13 | Binghamton | $140,648 |
| 14 | Long Beach | $140,606 |
| 15 | Niagara Falls | $140,528 |
| 16 | Buffalo | $140,424 |
| 17 | Newburgh | $139,545 |
| 18 | Albany | $139,222 |
| 19 | Spring Valley | $139,022 |
| 20 | White Plains | $138,839 |
| 21 | Rochester | $138,804 |
| 22 | Jamestown | $138,669 |
| 23 | Valley Stream | $138,447 |
| 24 | Middletown | $137,872 |
| 25 | Hempstead | $137,721 |
| 26 | Saratoga Springs | $137,042 |
| 27 | North Tonawanda | $136,233 |
| 28 | Schenectady | $136,198 |
| 29 | Auburn | $135,569 |
| 30 | Freeport | $135,181 |
| 31 | Glens Falls | $134,568 |
| 32 | Oswego | $133,779 |
| 33 | Lackawanna | $133,500 |
| 34 | Amsterdam | $133,436 |
| 35 | Oneonta | $133,114 |
| 36 | Utica | $132,247 |
| 37 | Plattsburgh | $131,742 |
| 38 | Cortland | $131,344 |
| 39 | Rome | $130,897 |
More New York Salary Data
Compare Cities in New York
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in New York?
How does New York pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in New York?
How many pharmacists are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for pharmacists?
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
Statewide 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. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacist compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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