Pharmacist Salary in South Carolina: $143,277 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $143,277/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $156,587 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Florence ($155,020), Spartanburg ($153,610), North Charleston ($149,062).
In South Carolina, the average median salary for pharmacists in 2026 is projected to be $143,277, slightly below the national median of $143,489, reflecting a difference of -0.1%. The salary range across cities demonstrates notable variation, with Florence offering the highest at $157,857, while Clemson provides the lowest at $127,970. This $29,887 gap can be attributed to factors like cost of living, local demand for pharmacy services, and the presence of healthcare facilities in each area. South Carolina's specific requirements include state licensing and compliance with unique scope of practice laws, which influence the job market. The demand for pharmacists is driven by an aging population, increased healthcare access, and evolving roles in patient care. The total employment figure for pharmacists stands at 4,391, with projections indicating a growth rate of 1.83% annually. Cities like Spartanburg, North Charleston, Charleston, and Greer are also competitive in terms of salary, with figures reaching $156,421, $151,790, $148,621, and $141,391, respectively. Overall, the outlook for pharmacists in South Carolina remains steady, with consistent demand expected in the coming years.
South Carolina Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $74,957 (lowest entry-level) to $302,904 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina pharmacists earn 0.15% less than the national median ($-212/year difference).
South Carolina Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in South Carolina range from $92,813 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $180,025 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $143,277. The South Carolina median is $212 below the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $68.88/hr. Approximately 4,391 pharmacists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$127,871
2025 BLS Actual
$140,702
2026 Current Est.
$143,277
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,871 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,967 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,801 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,835 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,702 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,277 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,899 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $127,871 (2019) to $140,702 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,899 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,028 (14.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | $157,857 | 86.774 | $181,917 |
| Spartanburg | $156,421 | 91.051 | $171,795 |
| North Charleston | $151,790 | 91.5 | $165,891 |
| Greer | $141,391 | 91.5 | $154,526 |
| Anderson | $141,247 | 91.5 | $154,368 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $92,813 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $143,277 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $180,025 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence | $157,857 |
| 2 | Spartanburg | $156,421 |
| 3 | North Charleston | $151,790 |
| 4 | Charleston | $148,621 |
| 5 | Greer | $141,391 |
| 6 | Anderson | $141,247 |
| 7 | Mount Pleasant | $141,006 |
| 8 | Hilton Head Island | $139,874 |
| 9 | Rock Hill | $138,408 |
| 10 | Greenville | $138,061 |
| 11 | Myrtle Beach | $137,888 |
| 12 | Aiken | $137,801 |
| 13 | Hanahan | $137,608 |
| 14 | Bluffton | $137,216 |
| 15 | Mauldin | $136,798 |
| 16 | Columbia | $136,299 |
| 17 | Summerville | $136,064 |
| 18 | Conway | $135,345 |
| 19 | Simpsonville | $133,822 |
| 20 | Fort Mill | $133,759 |
| 21 | Goose Creek | $133,445 |
| 22 | Sumter | $132,196 |
| 23 | Lexington | $131,262 |
| 24 | Easley | $128,921 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $128,210 |
| 26 | Clemson | $127,970 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore pharmacist hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacists.
Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in South Carolina?
How many pharmacists are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for pharmacists?
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
Statewide 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. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacist compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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