Pharmacist Salary in Brookings, SD: $123,020 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Brookings, SD earns a median $123,020/year (≈ $59.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Brookings's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $132,565 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Brookings, SD is projected to reach a median of $123,020, reflecting ongoing shifts in the local job landscape influenced by retail chain consolidation. This new dynamic has resulted in a salary range for pharmacists from $94,336 at the 10th percentile to $142,104 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price disparities. The job market in Brookings appears stable, yet it faces challenges due to the broader retail sector’s fluctuations, which may affect overall compensation for pharmacists as the retail chains streamline operations and potentially reduce base pay offers.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,336 | $45.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,093 | $56.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,020 | $59.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,971 | $65.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,104 | $68.32 |
Median Salary Position
14.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
In Brookings, SD, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,768 (2026 est.). At $123,020, the local median is 14.27% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookings: You'd be above the median
How Brookings Pharmacist Pay Compares
Brookings median: $123,020/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $133,138 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -14.27% less |
Pharmacists in Brookings, SD earn a median of $123,020 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.27% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $133,138.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookings has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookings, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $123,020 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,565 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,818
2025 BLS Actual
$120,809
2026 Current Est.
$123,020
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,818 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,349 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,229 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,813 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,625 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,809 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,020 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,271 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookings metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $109,818 (2019) to $120,809 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,271 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,453 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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) | $94,336 – $117,093 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,093 – $123,020 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,020 – $136,971 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,971 – $142,104 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Brookings
Currently, there are four pharmacists employed in the Brookings area, providing an insight into local job availability and competition. With a cost-of-living index at 92.8, the purchasing power for pharmacists is slightly above the national average, allowing for a reasonable standard of living despite the lower pay scale. Employers in Brookings, including retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, often offer competitive salaries, especially for positions that prioritize specialized training or clinical experience. The income variation typically seen in pharmacy roles is influenced by several factors including the setting of employment—hospital pharmacists tend to earn more due to demand for residency-trained professionals compared to retail pharmacists. Strategies to maximize pharmacist pay in Brookings may involve pursuing board certifications, seeking roles in specialty pharmacies, or leveraging shift differentials in retail settings, especially as the health care landscape continues to evolve.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
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 $120,809 for pharmacistsin the Brookings 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 Brookings 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