Pharmacist Salary in Winston, NC: $138,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Winston, NC earns a median $138,193/year (≈ $66.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $150,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual pharmacist salary in Winston, North Carolina is projected to reach $138,193, a figure slightly below the national median of $143,489. With a salary range from $66,291 at the 10th percentile to $170,341 at the 90th, the compensation reflects the distinct roles within the profession. Pharmacists in Winston can find rewarding opportunities across various settings, including hospital clinical specialists, retail pharmacists in charge, and staff roles. The compensation structure often results in a noticeable disparity; clinical specialists generally earn more due to the complexity and responsibility of their work compared to retail positions. As healthcare continues to evolve, the job market in Winston is adapting, creating diverse pathways for pharmacists looking to maximize their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,291 | $31.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,041 | $61.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,193 | $66.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,227 | $79.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,341 | $81.90 |
Median Salary Position
3.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,050 (2026 est.). At $138,193, the local median is 3.69% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be above the median
How Winston Pharmacist Pay Compares
Winston median: $138,193/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $139,731 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -3.69% less |
Pharmacists in Winston, NC earn a median of $138,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.69% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $139,731.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $138,193 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,140 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,910
2025 BLS Actual
$135,710
2026 Current Est.
$138,193
2019–2027 Growth
+12.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,722 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 8.6% from $124,910 (2019) to $135,710 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,722 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,812 (12.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $66,291 – $128,041 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,041 – $138,193 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,193 – $166,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,227 – $170,341 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Winston
Winston's local job market is bolstered by approximately 1,010 pharmacists employed across the area, providing a stable grid for professionals. The cost of living index at 92.043 indicates a lower-than-average living expense, which enhances overall purchasing power despite the slight dip in salaries compared to national figures. Among the leading employers, hospital pharmacies tend to offer competitive pay, particularly for those with board certifications or residency training, separating them from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Factors driving the wage gap include specialized qualifications, shift differentials for night shifts, and the consolidation trends in retail chains that may affect staffing and pay structures. To maximize pharmacist pay in Winston, it is advisable to pursue board certifications, seek positions in hospitals or specialty pharmacies, and stay informed about local job openings, focusing on those that emphasize advanced training and diverse skill sets.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $135,710 for pharmacistsin the Winston 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