Pharmacist Salary in Lexington, SC: $131,262 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Lexington, SC earns a median $131,262/year (≈ $63.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $143,456 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Lexington, SC, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $131,262, reflecting a trend influenced by the recent consolidation in the retail pharmacy sector. This change has created a salary range that spans from $93,828 at the 10th percentile to $149,217 at the 90th percentile, indicating the variability in compensation based on experience, setting, and responsibilities. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, with adjustments for regional price levels, portraying a competitive yet challenging job market for pharmacists in the area. As retail chains continue to streamline operations, the local job market presents both opportunities and uncertainties for new hires and established professionals alike.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,828 | $45.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,390 | $57.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,262 | $63.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,658 | $69.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,217 | $71.74 |
Median Salary Position
8.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, SC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,389 (2026 est.). At $131,262, the local median is 8.52% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be above the median
How Lexington Pharmacist Pay Compares
Lexington median: $131,262/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $138,902 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -8.52% less |
Pharmacists in Lexington, SC earn a median of $131,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.52% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $138,902.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $131,262 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,456 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,175
2025 BLS Actual
$128,903
2026 Current Est.
$131,262
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,175 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,614 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,438 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,439 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,626 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,903 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,262 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,664 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $117,175 (2019) to $128,903 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,664 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,489 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $93,828 – $120,390 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,390 – $131,262 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,262 – $144,658 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,658 – $149,217 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Lexington
With only five pharmacists currently employed in Lexington, the local job market is quite small, which can affect salary dynamics and job availability. The cost of living index in the area is 91.5, suggesting that purchasing power may differ compared to more expensive regions, putting further pressure on overall compensation. While retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens remain significant employers, hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacies are increasingly poised to offer higher salaries, particularly for those with advanced certifications or residency training. The gap between lower and upper wages largely stems from factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the growing necessity for proficiency in areas like point-of-care testing and ambulatory care pharmacy. To maximize earning potential, pharmacists in Lexington should focus on pursuing advanced certifications, considering roles in health systems or specialty pharmacy settings, and staying adaptive in a market reshaped by retail consolidation.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
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 $128,903 for pharmacistsin the Lexington 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
Salary data for Lexington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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