Pharmacist Salary in Utica, NY: $132,247 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Utica, NY earns a median $132,247/year (≈ $63.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Utica's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $142,695 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Pharmacists in Utica, New York, are experiencing notable shifts in compensation trends, particularly following the retail chain consolidation that has reshaped the industry landscape post-2023. In 2026, the median annual salary stands at $132,247, reflecting a downward adjustment compared to the national median of $143,489. Salary expectations range from $103,592 at the 10th percentile to $164,455 at the 90th, illustrating the variability in pay within the local market. These figures are provided by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys and offer insights into the evolving dynamics of pharmacist pay in Utica. As traditional retail roles face increased pressure, opportunities within hospital and specialty settings are anticipated to influence the overall job market positively.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,592 | $49.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,233 | $59.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,247 | $63.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,828 | $75.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,455 | $79.07 |
Median Salary Position
7.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Utica
In Utica, NY, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,863 (2026 est.). At $132,247, the local median is 7.83% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Utica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Utica Pharmacist Pay Compares
Utica median: $132,247/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Utica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $142,661 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -7.83% less |
Pharmacists in Utica, NY earn a median of $132,247 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.83% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 7.30% below the New York state average of $142,661.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Utica has a cost of living 7.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Utica, NY has a cost-of-living index of 92.678 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $132,247 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,695 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,580
2025 BLS Actual
$129,870
2026 Current Est.
$132,247
2019–2027 Growth
+11.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Utica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,247 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,667 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utica metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 7.7% from $120,580 (2019) to $129,870 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,667 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,087 (11.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utica 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) | $103,592 – $124,233 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,233 – $132,247 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,247 – $156,828 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,828 – $164,455 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Utica
In 2026, with approximately 240 pharmacists employed in the Utica area, the local job market remains relatively competitive. However, the cost-of-living index of 92.678 indicates that while salaries might seem attractive, purchasing power is somewhat constrained compared to the national average. Employers such as hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, and mail-order operations tend to offer higher compensation compared to traditional retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials, and residency training often drive the pay disparities seen across various settings. For those in the field, maximizing compensation may involve pursuing advanced certifications, considering roles in higher-paying sectors, and remaining adaptable to the shifting landscape where clinical and direct patient care opportunities are growing.
More salary data for Utica, NY:
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 $129,870 for pharmacistsin the Utica 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