Pharmacist Salary in Fuquay-Varina, NC: $137,293 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Fuquay-Varina, NC earns a median $137,293/year (≈ $66.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Fuquay-Varina's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $146,681 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for pharmacists in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, is set at $137,293, which is notably lower than the national median of $143,489. Local salaries range from a low of $97,587 at the 10th percentile to a high of $158,433 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse compensation landscape in the area. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price differences, reflect the ongoing effects of retail chain consolidation and market shifts in local pharmacy roles. With five pharmacists currently employed in Fuquay-Varina, the market remains competitive, particularly as demand shifts toward clinical and specialty pharmacy roles in the context of changing healthcare needs.
About the Fuquay-Varina Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,587 | $46.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,677 | $62.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,293 | $66.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,103 | $73.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,433 | $76.17 |
Median Salary Position
4.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fuquay-Varina
In Fuquay-Varina, NC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,846 (2026 est.). At $137,293, the local median is 4.32% below the national median of $143,489.
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How Fuquay-Varina Pharmacist Pay Compares
Fuquay-Varina median: $137,293/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fuquay-Varina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $139,668 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -4.32% less |
Pharmacists in Fuquay-Varina, NC earn a median of $137,293 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.32% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $139,668.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fuquay-Varina 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.
Fuquay-Varina, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $137,293 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,681 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,560
2025 BLS Actual
$134,826
2026 Current Est.
$137,293
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Fuquay-Varina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,153 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,019 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,018 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,157 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,592 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,826 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,293 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,806 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fuquay-Varina metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $122,560 (2019) to $134,826 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,806 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,246 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fuquay-Varina 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) | $97,587 – $130,677 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,677 – $137,293 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,293 – $152,103 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,103 – $158,433 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Fuquay-Varina
For those navigating pharmacist pay in Fuquay-Varina, NC, understanding the local job market's dynamics is essential. The area’s cost of living index at 93.6 highlights a lower-than-average expense profile, enhancing the purchasing power of salaries earned here. While retail chains like CVS and Walgreens remain prominent employers, the highest-paying options may be found within hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, which often offer differentials and stipends that elevate earnings. Factors influencing pay disparities largely include the work setting—hospital clinical specialists typically earn more than retail pharmacists—alongside board certifications, shift differentials, and the impact of recent layoffs in retail pharmacy. Maximizing earning potential in this evolving landscape may involve pursuing residency training or specialty certifications relevant to the changing roles in healthcare delivery within Fuquay-Varina.
More salary data for Fuquay-Varina, NC:
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 $134,826 for pharmacistsin the Fuquay-Varina 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 Fuquay-Varina 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