Pharmacist Salary in Richmond, VA: $147,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Richmond, VA earns a median $147,592/year (≈ $70.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $150,823 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Richmond, Virginia, reflects the continuing impact of retail chain consolidations on local pay structures. With a median annual salary of $147,592, Richmond’s compensation for pharmacists remains competitively positioned, particularly when compared to the national median of $143,489. This salary range spans from $108,255 at the 10th percentile to $168,722 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. These figures illustrate the balancing act pharmacists in Richmond face, as the market adjusts to recent changes in retail pharmacy operations while maintaining a strong demand for clinical and specialty pharmacy roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,255 | $52.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,809 | $63.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,592 | $70.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,873 | $76.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,722 | $81.12 |
Median Salary Position
2.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,467 (2026 est.). At $147,592, the local median is 2.86% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Pharmacist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $147,592/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $138,715 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +2.86% more |
Pharmacists in Richmond, VA earn a median of $147,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.86% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 6.40% above the Virginia state average of $138,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $147,592 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,823 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$136,740
2025 BLS Actual
$144,940
2026 Current Est.
$147,592
2019–2027 Growth
+9.9%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $136,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,293 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 6.0% from $136,740 (2019) to $144,940 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,293 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,553 (9.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $108,255 – $131,809 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,809 – $147,592 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,592 – $159,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,873 – $168,722 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Richmond
Richmond's job market for pharmacists is anchored by approximately 1,350 employed in the area, offering a solid number of positions amid evolving industry dynamics. The cost-of-living index, which sits below the national average at 97.858, enhances the purchasing power of pharmacists, making the local compensation particularly appealing. Employers such as hospital systems and specialty pharmacies typically contribute to higher wage tiers, paying more than traditional retail chains. Factors influencing salary variation include clinical specialty requirements, board certifications like BPS, and differences in work settings, such as hospital versus retail environments. As the market evolves, pharmacists aiming to maximize their pay should consider pursuing residencies and specialized certifications, which are increasingly valued by Richmond employers and can lead to more lucrative opportunities.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 $144,940 for pharmacistsin the Richmond 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