Pharmacist Salary in Cary, NC: $134,910 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Cary, NC earns a median $134,910/year (≈ $64.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $144,135 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For pharmacists in Cary, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary is $134,910 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay structure relative to many U.S. regions. Salary ranges indicate a spectrum from $97,829 at the 10th percentile to $172,163 at the 90th percentile, suggesting significant earning potential especially for those in specialized or residency-trained roles. These figures, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight how the job market here can be particularly favorable for those seeking hospital or specialty pharmacy positions, where higher educational qualifications like PGY-1 residency training can command a premium over non-residency counterparts.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,829 | $47.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,287 | $60.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,910 | $64.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,411 | $73.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,163 | $82.77 |
Median Salary Position
5.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,334 (2026 est.). At $134,910, the local median is 5.98% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be above the median
How Cary Pharmacist Pay Compares
Cary median: $134,910/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $139,659 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -5.98% less |
Pharmacists in Cary, NC earn a median of $134,910 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.98% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 3.40% below the North Carolina state average of $139,659.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $134,910 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,135 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,432
2025 BLS Actual
$132,486
2026 Current Est.
$134,910
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,432 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,015 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,884 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,814 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,898 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,312 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,486 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,910 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,379 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $120,432 (2019) to $132,486 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,379 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,947 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $97,829 – $125,287 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,287 – $134,910 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,910 – $153,411 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,411 – $172,163 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Cary
In Cary, the pharmacist job market comprises approximately 44 professionals, with a cost-of-living index at 93.6, suggesting that take-home earnings can stretch further compared to the national average. While retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens are experiencing contraction, the demand for hospital and specialty roles is poised to grow, potentially leading to higher remuneration in these sectors. Factors influencing salary variances include board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the transition of retail chains through consolidation, which may tighten the workforce. For pharmacists in Cary, focusing on obtaining board certifications and exploring opportunities in inpatient and specialty pharmacies could significantly enhance earning prospects in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $132,486 for pharmacistsin the Cary 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 Cary 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