Pharmacist Salary in Salem, OR: $172,307 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Salem, OR earns a median $172,307/year (≈ $82.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Salem's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $166,241 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salem, Oregon, the projected median annual salary for pharmacists in 2026 is set at $172,307, reflecting a competitive market that surpasses the national average by more than 20%. The overall salary range for pharmacists in this city spans from $132,277 at the 10th percentile to $203,660 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicates a healthy demand for skilled professionals in the field, particularly for those with residency training. As healthcare practices adapt to evolving needs in the region, hospital and specialty pharmacies are likely to offer higher compensation, especially for roles that require advanced certifications and specializations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $132,277 | $63.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $149,079 | $71.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,307 | $82.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,834 | $88.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,660 | $97.92 |
Median Salary Position
20.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, OR, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,383 (2026 est.). At $172,307, the local median is 20.08% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be above the median
How Salem Pharmacist Pay Compares
Salem median: $172,307/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $167,777 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +20.08% more |
Pharmacists in Salem, OR earn a median of $172,307 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.08% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.70% above the Oregon state average of $167,777.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.65% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.649 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,307 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $166,241 — a 3.52% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$140,330
2025 BLS Actual
$169,210
2026 Current Est.
$172,307
2019–2027 Growth
+25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $140,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,307 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,460 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 20.6% from $140,330 (2019) to $169,210 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,460 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,130 (25.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $132,277 – $149,079 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $149,079 – $172,307 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,307 – $183,834 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,834 – $203,660 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Salem
With approximately 300 pharmacists employed in Salem, the job market appears robust, although the cost of living index stands at 103.649, suggesting a slightly elevated economic environment compared to the national average. This factor can affect take-home pay and overall purchasing power for pharmacists in Salem. Notable employers in the region include major retail chain pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, along with hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty operations like Accredo. The gap in salaries between various roles can often be attributed to factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight work, and the increasing preference for residency-trained candidates in clinical positions. As retail chains face consolidation challenges and layoffs, exploring opportunities in hospital settings or specialty pharmacies may prove advantageous for new graduates seeking to maximize their pharmacist pay in Salem OR.
More salary data for Salem, OR:
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 $169,210 for pharmacistsin the Salem 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