Pharmacist Salary in Dayton, OH: $138,601 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Dayton, OH earns a median $138,601/year (≈ $66.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $149,525 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data indicate that the pharmacist salary in Dayton, OH, is set at a median annual figure of $138,601. This represents a slight decrease when compared to the national median of $143,489, reflecting an ongoing trend influenced by retail chain consolidations that have reshaped local employment dynamics. The pay range for pharmacists in the area varies significantly, falling between $102,166 at the lower end and reaching $166,085 at the higher end. This salary data stems from official BLS OEWS surveys and captures the local market's contextual shifts, particularly following the reductions in staff across major pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens. As the local pharmacy landscape transforms, opportunities in clinical roles and specialty pharmacies may provide pathways for greater compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,166 | $49.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,365 | $62.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,601 | $66.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,775 | $75.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,085 | $79.84 |
Median Salary Position
3.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,919 (2026 est.). At $138,601, the local median is 3.41% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be above the median
How Dayton Pharmacist Pay Compares
Dayton median: $138,601/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $138,462 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -3.41% less |
Pharmacists in Dayton, OH earn a median of $138,601 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.41% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.10% above the Ohio state average of $138,462.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $138,601 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,525 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,250
2025 BLS Actual
$136,110
2026 Current Est.
$138,601
2019–2027 Growth
+11.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,601 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 7.8% from $126,250 (2019) to $136,110 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,887 (11.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $102,166 – $129,365 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,365 – $138,601 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,601 – $157,775 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,775 – $166,085 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Dayton
With approximately 830 pharmacists currently employed in Dayton, the job market reflects a blend of stability and competitive pay, especially against a cost-of-living index of 92.694, which indicates a below-average expense for residents. This lower cost of living enhances take-home purchasing power, allowing pharmacists to enjoy a quality lifestyle even with local salaries. Notably, retail pharmacy chains generally offer competitive compensation, yet positions in hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty delivery services often command higher wages. Factors contributing to the variance in pharmacist pay in Dayton include certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight roles, and the ongoing impact of post-2024 layoffs at retail chains. To maximize earnings, pharmacists should consider pursuing board certifications, especially in specialties like ambulatory care or pharmacotherapy, and explore opportunities in hospitals or emerging sectors that see robust growth despite the retail sector's contractions.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
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 $136,110 for pharmacistsin the Dayton 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