Pharmacist Salary in North Carolina: $143,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $143,633/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $153,454 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Concord ($153,043), Wilmington ($151,790), Charlotte ($150,580).
The projected average median salary for pharmacists in North Carolina in 2026 is $143,633, which is slightly higher than the national median of $143,489, reflecting a 0.1% increase. This statewide figure masks a significant disparity between the highest and lowest paying cities; Concord leads with a salary of $155,844, while Leland offers only $129,717, representing a gap of $26,127. Factors influencing these differences include local living costs, demand for pharmacy services, and the concentration of healthcare institutions in these areas. In North Carolina, the landscape for pharmacists is shaped by state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which permit pharmacists to provide a variety of clinical services that can increase demand. In 2026, the total number of employed pharmacists in the state is projected to be 10,004, with a growth rate of 1.83% annually. This demand is further driven by an aging population and the expanding role of pharmacists in patient care. With a diverse range of metropolitan areas to work in, pharmacists in North Carolina can find a variety of opportunities and salaries, aligning their career choices with personal and professional goals.
North Carolina Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $66,291 (lowest entry-level) to $195,901 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina pharmacists earn 0.10% more than the national median (+$144/year difference).
North Carolina Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in North Carolina range from $96,081 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $171,100 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $143,633. The North Carolina median is $144 above the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $69.06/hr. Approximately 10,004 pharmacists are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$127,643
2025 BLS Actual
$141,052
2026 Current Est.
$143,633
2019–2027 Growth
+14.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,643 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,124 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,989 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,705 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,547 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,052 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.5% from $127,643 (2019) to $141,052 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,619 (14.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Leland | $129,717 |
| Carrboro | $131,661 |
| Indian Trail | $132,177 |
| Burlington | $133,122 |
| Boone | $133,331 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | $155,844 | 93.6 | $166,500 |
| Greenville | $146,106 | 88.402 | $165,275 |
| Gastonia | $150,067 | 93.6 | $160,328 |
| Wilmington | $154,568 | 96.422 | $160,304 |
| Goldsboro | $141,758 | 88.462 | $160,247 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $96,081 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $143,633 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $171,100 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concord | $155,844 |
| 2 | Wilmington | $154,568 |
| 3 | Charlotte | $153,336 |
| 4 | Gastonia | $150,067 |
| 5 | Greenville | $146,106 |
| 6 | Chapel Hill | $145,151 |
| 7 | Winston-Salem | $144,773 |
| 8 | Durham | $143,947 |
| 9 | Fayetteville | $142,786 |
| 10 | Goldsboro | $141,758 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $141,186 |
| 12 | Kannapolis | $140,965 |
| 13 | Greensboro | $140,709 |
| 14 | Apex | $140,633 |
| 15 | Hickory | $139,690 |
| 16 | Asheville | $138,957 |
| 17 | High Point | $138,542 |
| 18 | Statesville | $138,530 |
| 19 | Kernersville | $138,410 |
| 20 | Winston | $138,193 |
| 21 | Matthews | $138,085 |
| 22 | Cornelius | $137,846 |
| 23 | Sanford | $137,727 |
| 24 | Wake Forest | $137,724 |
| 25 | Morrisville | $137,662 |
| 26 | Fuquay-Varina | $137,293 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $137,272 |
| 28 | Thomasville | $137,045 |
| 29 | New Bern | $136,990 |
| 30 | Mint Hill | $136,957 |
| 31 | Rocky Mount | $135,760 |
| 32 | Raleigh | $135,556 |
| 33 | Jacksonville | $135,281 |
| 34 | Cary | $134,910 |
| 35 | Holly Springs | $134,789 |
| 36 | Pinehurst | $134,589 |
| 37 | Mooresville | $134,367 |
| 38 | Monroe | $134,313 |
| 39 | Garner | $134,009 |
| 40 | Wilson | $133,912 |
| 41 | Boone | $133,331 |
| 42 | Burlington | $133,122 |
| 43 | Indian Trail | $132,177 |
| 44 | Carrboro | $131,661 |
| 45 | Leland | $129,717 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in North Carolina?
How many pharmacists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina 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 North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 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