Pharmacist Salary in New Bern, NC: $136,990 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in New Bern, NC earns a median $136,990/year (≈ $65.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in New Bern's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $146,357 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the pharmacist salary in New Bern, North Carolina, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $136,990, reflecting the local market's response to recent consolidation within retail pharmacy chains. This has created a salary range where pharmacists can expect earnings from $96,865 at the 10th percentile to $162,334 at the 90th percentile. These numbers are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price disparities. While this salary is lower than the national median of $143,489, it still provides a competitive baseline for pharmacists in the region, especially considering the economic shifts and job market dynamics affecting New Bern's healthcare landscape.
About the New Bern Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,865 | $46.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,713 | $59.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,357 | $74.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,334 | $78.04 |
Median Salary Position
4.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bern
In New Bern, NC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,469 (2026 est.). At $136,990, the local median is 4.53% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bern: You'd be above the median
How New Bern Pharmacist Pay Compares
New Bern median: $136,990/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bern Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $139,643 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -4.53% less |
Pharmacists in New Bern, NC earn a median of $136,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.53% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $139,643.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bern 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.
New Bern, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $136,990 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,357 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,300
2025 BLS Actual
$134,528
2026 Current Est.
$136,990
2019–2027 Growth
+7.9%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,328 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,528 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,990 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,497 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bern metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 4.0% from $129,300 (2019) to $134,528 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,497 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,197 (7.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bern 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) | $96,865 – $124,713 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,713 – $136,990 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,990 – $154,357 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,357 – $162,334 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in New Bern
Currently, New Bern employs only seven pharmacists, which indicates a tight labor market with potential growth opportunities. The cost of living in this area is lower, with an index of 93.6, suggesting that salaries might stretch further here compared to many urban settings. Among local employers, retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offer competitive salaries, but hospital inpatient pharmacies often compensate more generously due to roles requiring higher specialization and board certification. Factors influencing pay disparities include shift differentials, experience levels, and the impact of post-2024 layoffs within the industry. Pharmacists looking to maximize their compensation should consider pursuing additional certifications, such as BPS board certifications or completing a PGY-1 residency, which can make them more competitive for higher-paying roles, especially in specialty and hospital settings.
More salary data for New Bern, 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 $134,528 for pharmacistsin the New Bern 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 New Bern 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