Pharmacist Salary in Houston, TX: $143,041 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Houston, TX earns a median $143,041/year (≈ $68.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $145,029 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Houston, Texas can expect to see a median annual salary of $143,041, slightly below the national median of $143,489. The salary range for this occupation in the city spans from $84,723 at the 10th percentile to $173,284 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. This reflects a significant split in pay among different roles in the pharmacy sector, particularly between hospital clinical specialists, retail pharmacists, and staff positions, each having distinct responsibilities and compensation structures. For instance, hospital pharmacists tend to command higher salaries due to the complexity of their roles compared to those in retail settings, where the consolidation of chains like CVS and Walgreens continues to alter job availability and pay dynamics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,723 | $40.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,395 | $62.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,041 | $68.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,502 | $80.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,284 | $83.31 |
Median Salary Position
0.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,561 (2026 est.). At $143,041, the local median is 0.31% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be above the median
How Houston Pharmacist Pay Compares
Houston median: $143,041/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $140,650 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -0.31% less |
Pharmacists in Houston, TX earn a median of $143,041 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.31% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.70% above the Texas state average of $140,650.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $143,041 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,029 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,320
2025 BLS Actual
$140,470
2026 Current Est.
$143,041
2019–2027 Growth
+11.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,041 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 7.8% from $130,320 (2019) to $140,470 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,338 (11.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $84,723 – $129,395 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,395 – $143,041 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,041 – $166,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,502 – $173,284 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Houston
As of 2026, there are approximately 6,410 pharmacists employed in Houston, which indicates a robust local job market for pharmacy professionals. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 98.629, suggesting that while salaries may be competitive, the purchasing power of pharmacists is somewhat balanced against household expenses. Among local employers, specialty pharmacies and inpatient hospital roles typically offer the highest compensation. Factors contributing to the salary variability include experience, board certifications such as BPS or residency training, and work setting—clinical specialists often earn more than retail PICs, who in turn have higher salaries than standard retail staff. To maximize earnings, pharmacists should consider pursuing advanced certifications, seeking roles within specialty settings, and being strategic about their career paths in light of ongoing retail changes.
More salary data for Houston, 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 $140,470 for pharmacistsin the Houston 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