Pharmacist Salary in Portland, OR: $171,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Portland, OR earns a median $171,920/year (≈ $82.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $163,079 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Following the significant consolidation within the retail pharmacy sector post-2023, the pharmacist salary in Portland is projected to climb to a notable $171,920 in 2026. This increase reflects a growing demand for skilled pharmacy professionals, particularly as the landscape shifts following the closures of several retail chain locations. The anticipated salary range for pharmacists in this area spans from $129,426 at the 10th percentile to $200,096 at the 90th percentile. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, illustrates a marked improvement in pharmacist pay Portland OR, particularly attractive considering that the national median salary stands at $143,489, which positions Portland's compensation about 19.81% higher than the national average.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $129,426 | $62.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $148,407 | $71.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,920 | $82.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $193,009 | $92.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,096 | $96.20 |
Median Salary Position
19.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,670 (2026 est.). At $171,920, the local median is 19.81% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be above the median
How Portland Pharmacist Pay Compares
Portland median: $171,920/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $167,726 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +19.81% more |
Pharmacists in Portland, OR earn a median of $171,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.81% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.50% above the Oregon state average of $167,726.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,920 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $163,079 — a 5.14% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$143,010
2025 BLS Actual
$168,830
2026 Current Est.
$171,920
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $143,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $144,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $135,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $169,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 18.1% from $143,010 (2019) to $168,830 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,056 (22.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $129,426 – $148,407 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $148,407 – $171,920 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,920 – $193,009 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $193,009 – $200,096 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Portland
With approximately 2,070 pharmacists employed in Portland, the local job market remains robust despite fluctuations in pharmacy roles. However, the cost-of-living index of 105.421 indicates a higher economic burden for residents, necessitating careful consideration of take-home income. Educational institutions and healthcare systems are increasingly prioritizing residency-training and board certifications, making roles in hospital inpatient and specialty pharmacies particularly lucrative. Among various employers, hospital clinical specialists often command higher pay compared to retail settings, which may offer extra shifts and certifications for increased earnings. To maximize pharmacist pay in Portland, it may be beneficial to pursue advanced certifications or additional residency training, focusing on areas that are experiencing growth within the industry context, like ambulatory care and specialty pharmacy roles.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Portland, OR in 2026?
Is Portland, OR a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Portland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Portland?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Portland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 $168,830 for pharmacistsin the Portland 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