Pharmacist Salary in Gastonia, NC: $150,067 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Gastonia, NC earns a median $150,067/year (≈ $72.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $160,328 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Gastonia, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $150,067, reflecting a significant increase from previous years. This competitive pay is within a salary range that spans from $107,019 at the 10th percentile to $182,779 at the 90th percentile. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, showcases Gastonia's attractiveness within the pharmacy field, especially in light of the recent retail chain consolidation where companies like CVS and Walgreens have been closing locations. This consolidation has shifted the job landscape, placing greater emphasis on hospital and specialty pharmacy roles, making it a dynamic time for pharmacists considering opportunities in the area.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,019 | $51.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $137,737 | $66.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,067 | $72.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,702 | $82.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,779 | $87.88 |
Median Salary Position
4.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,760 (2026 est.). At $150,067, the local median is 4.58% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be above the median
How Gastonia Pharmacist Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $150,067/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $139,727 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +4.58% more |
Pharmacists in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $150,067 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.58% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 7.40% above the North Carolina state average of $139,727.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $150,067 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $160,328 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$133,962
2025 BLS Actual
$147,370
2026 Current Est.
$150,067
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,962 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,611 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,464 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,836 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,266 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,895 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,067 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,813 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $133,962 (2019) to $147,370 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,813 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,851 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $107,019 – $137,737 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $137,737 – $150,067 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,067 – $171,702 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,702 – $182,779 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Gastonia
Looking at the local job market, Gastonia employs about 16 pharmacists, which highlights a relatively small but stable demand for professionals in this sector. The cost of living index in Gastonia stands at 93.6, indicating it is below the national average; this translates to better purchasing power for pharmacists who may benefit from competitive salaries. Among local employers, retail chains, hospital systems, and specialty pharmacies are the primary sources of pharmacist pay. Factors driving salary differentiation include board certification premiums, shift differentials for overnight positions, and the value of advanced training such as PGY-1 residency for hospital roles. Given the evolving nature of pharmacy practice and recent trends in employment, pharmacists can maximize their pay potential by obtaining specialized certifications and pursuing roles in expanding sectors, such as specialty and mail-order pharmacies.
More salary data for Gastonia, 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 $147,370 for pharmacistsin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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