Pharmacist Salary in Garner, NC: $134,009 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Garner, NC earns a median $134,009/year (≈ $64.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Garner's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $143,172 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacist salaries in Garner, North Carolina, reflect the impact of retail chain consolidations on local compensation, showing a projected median annual salary of $134,009 for 2026. With a salary range extending from $100,381 at the 10th percentile to $166,082 at the 90th percentile, the local pay falls approximately 6.61% below the national median of $143,489. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences. As the retail pharmacy market transitions and looks to optimize staffing, pharmacists in Garner may find their roles evolving, potentially impacting overall compensation and job security within the area.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,381 | $48.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,572 | $60.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,009 | $64.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,433 | $74.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,082 | $79.84 |
Median Salary Position
6.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garner
In Garner, NC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,701 (2026 est.). At $134,009, the local median is 6.61% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Garner: You'd be above the median
How Garner Pharmacist Pay Compares
Garner median: $134,009/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $139,739 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -6.61% less |
Pharmacists in Garner, NC earn a median of $134,009 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.61% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $139,739.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garner 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.
Garner, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $134,009 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,172 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,628
2025 BLS Actual
$131,601
2026 Current Est.
$134,009
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Garner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,628 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,076 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,043 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,731 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,601 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,009 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,462 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garner metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $119,628 (2019) to $131,601 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,834 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garner 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) | $100,381 – $126,572 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,572 – $134,009 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,009 – $155,433 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,433 – $166,082 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Garner
While there are only four pharmacists currently employed in Garner, the local job market offers a solid opportunity for those looking to enter the field. The area's cost-of-living index is a favorable 93.6, suggesting that the purchasing power of salaries may stretch further here compared to many other regions. Retail chains like CVS and Walgreens tend to offer competitive pay, though opportunities may also arise in hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty settings, which often provide higher wages, particularly for those holding board certifications or advanced residency training. The notable salary spread often reflects the varying responsibilities across different pharmacy practice settings. Those seeking to maximize their pharmacist pay in Garner should consider diversifying their skill sets through additional certifications and residency training, positioning themselves favorably to capitalize on emerging roles, especially as demand shifts due to industry changes.
More salary data for Garner, 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 $131,601 for pharmacistsin the Garner 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 Garner 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