Pharmacist Salary in Austin, TX: $154,059 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Austin, TX earns a median $154,059/year (≈ $74.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $157,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.5% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For those in search of pharmacist salaries in Austin, TX, the 2026 projected median annual pay is set at $154,059, showing a notable increase when juxtaposed with the national average of $143,489. This figure reflects a broad salary range, with earnings spanning from $92,472 at the 10th percentile to $175,647 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures illustrate the healthy compensation landscape for pharmacists in the city. It is particularly significant for residency-trained pharmacists, as those seeking roles in hospitals or specialty pharmacies generally command a premium, making Austin an appealing option for professionals in these fields.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,472 | $44.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,049 | $64.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,059 | $74.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,144 | $80.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,647 | $84.45 |
Median Salary Position
7.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,175 (2026 est.). At $154,059, the local median is 7.37% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be above the median
How Austin Pharmacist Pay Compares
Austin median: $154,059/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $140,693 | +9.50% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +7.37% more |
Pharmacists in Austin, TX earn a median of $154,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.37% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 9.50% above the Texas state average of $140,693.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $154,059 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,097 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,160
2025 BLS Actual
$151,290
2026 Current Est.
$154,059
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $136,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $135,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,059 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,878 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 14.5% from $132,160 (2019) to $151,290 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,878 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,718 (18.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $92,472 – $134,049 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,049 – $154,059 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,059 – $167,144 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,144 – $175,647 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Austin
Analyzing the local job market further, approximately 1,800 pharmacists are currently employed across various sectors in Austin, providing a robust environment for job seekers. The city's cost-of-living index stands at 98.066, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of pharmacist salaries in the region. Among top employers, specialty pharmacies like Accredo and hospital inpatient entities typically offer higher salaries than retail chain operations like CVS and Walgreens. This spectrum of pay can be influenced by specific factors, including the demand for board certification, shift differentials for less desirable hours, and the increasingly competitive dynamics following the retail chain layoffs. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing board certifications like those offered by BPS, or seeking residency training, can help open doors to more lucrative positions within Austin's evolving pharmacy market.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $151,290 for pharmacistsin the Austin 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