Pharmacist Salary in Wilmington, NC: $154,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Wilmington, NC earns a median $154,568/year (≈ $74.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $160,304 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacist salaries in Wilmington, North Carolina, are projected to reach a median annual value of $154,568, outpacing the national median of $143,489 by approximately 7.72%. The salary range for pharmacists in this region extends from $107,390 at the lower end (P10) to $173,987 at the upper level (P90), reflecting various roles within the profession. This pay variation often reflects the structural divide between pharmacists working in hospital clinical environments, where they may serve as specialists, and those in retail settings, such as pharmacy managers or staff pharmacists. The insights gleaned from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys reveal that specialized roles are likely to attract higher compensation, particularly in a growing market where hospitals and specialty pharmacies are becoming increasingly vital to healthcare delivery.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,390 | $51.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,465 | $62.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,568 | $74.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,508 | $83.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,987 | $83.65 |
Median Salary Position
7.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,597 (2026 est.). At $154,568, the local median is 7.72% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be above the median
How Wilmington Pharmacist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $154,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $139,628 | +10.70% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +7.72% more |
Pharmacists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $154,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.72% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 10.70% above the North Carolina state average of $139,628.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $154,568 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $160,304 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,380
2025 BLS Actual
$151,790
2026 Current Est.
$154,568
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,396 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 22.0% from $124,380 (2019) to $151,790 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,396 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,016 (26.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $107,390 – $130,465 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,465 – $154,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,568 – $173,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,508 – $173,987 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Wilmington
The pharmacist job market in Wilmington consists of approximately 480 practitioners, showcasing a relatively strong demand for pharmacy professionals. The local cost of living index stands at 96.422, which is below the national average, allowing for improved purchasing power despite the rising salary figures. Key employers within the regional market, such as hospital pharmacies and specialty environments like Accredo, typically offer higher compensation than traditional retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include board certifications, experience with acute care environments, and additional shifts, especially overnight roles. For pharmacists looking to maximize their earnings here, pursuing advanced certifications and considering hospital or specialty pharmacy positions over retail may be advantageous, particularly in light of the ongoing retail consolidation impacting pay structures and job stability.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $151,790 for pharmacistsin the Wilmington 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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