Pharmacist Salary in Monroe, NC: $134,313 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Monroe, NC earns a median $134,313/year (≈ $64.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Monroe's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $143,497 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Monroe, North Carolina, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $134,313, reflecting a significant local adjustment influenced by recent retail chain consolidations in the pharmacy sector. This median is supported by a salary range from $101,530 at the 10th percentile to $161,956 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diverse opportunities within the market. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, account for regional price variations and demonstrate how the local economy may be shaping pharmacist pay in Monroe, especially as national competition continues to rise and local retail pharmacy operations face unprecedented challenges. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for pharmacists considering their career trajectory in this North Carolina city.
About the Monroe Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,530 | $48.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,224 | $61.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,313 | $64.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,347 | $73.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,956 | $77.86 |
Median Salary Position
6.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Monroe
In Monroe, NC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,426 (2026 est.). At $134,313, the local median is 6.39% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Monroe: You'd be above the median
How Monroe Pharmacist Pay Compares
Monroe median: $134,313/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Monroe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $139,618 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -6.39% less |
Pharmacists in Monroe, NC earn a median of $134,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.39% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 3.80% below the North Carolina state average of $139,618.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Monroe 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.
Monroe, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $134,313 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,497 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,899
2025 BLS Actual
$131,899
2026 Current Est.
$134,313
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,899 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,479 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,348 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,261 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,331 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,996 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,899 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,313 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Monroe metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $119,899 (2019) to $131,899 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,872 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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) | $101,530 – $127,224 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,224 – $134,313 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,313 – $153,347 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,347 – $161,956 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Monroe
Examining the local job market, only six pharmacists are currently employed in Monroe, indicating a relatively small workforce in comparison to larger metropolitan areas. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, pharmacists can expect their take-home purchasing power to stretch further in this city compared to the national average. Among the employers in Monroe, retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens generally offer competitive salaries, but those working in hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty roles may find even higher compensation potential, particularly with board certifications and additional training like PGY-1 or PGY-2 residencies. The variation in pay stems from several factors, including whether a pharmacist works in a retail setting versus a clinical environment. Strategies to maximize pharmacist pay in Monroe NC should include pursuing advanced certifications, exploring options in specialty and hospital pharmacies, and staying abreast of evolving roles in ambulatory care and point-of-care testing that may enhance value in the eyes of employers.
More salary data for Monroe, 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 $131,899 for pharmacistsin the Monroe 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 Monroe 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