Pharmacist Salary in Waynesboro, VA: $131,840 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Waynesboro, VA earns a median $131,840/year (≈ $63.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Waynesboro's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $127,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waynesboro, Virginia, the projected 2026 median pharmacist salary stands at $131,840, reflecting a competitive market compared to the national figure of $143,489. Pharmacists in the area can expect salaries ranging from $95,983 at the 10th percentile to $158,876 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are grounded in data derived from 2025 BLS figures, adjusted for the local cost of living, which sits slightly above the national average. Notably, the highest-paying opportunities in Waynesboro often favor residency-trained pharmacists, particularly in hospital and specialty roles, as these positions command a premium due to their advanced training and expertise.
About the Waynesboro Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,983 | $46.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121,873 | $58.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,840 | $63.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,491 | $68.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,876 | $76.38 |
Median Salary Position
8.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waynesboro
In Waynesboro, VA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,893 (2026 est.). At $131,840, the local median is 8.12% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Waynesboro: You'd be above the median
How Waynesboro Pharmacist Pay Compares
Waynesboro median: $131,840/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waynesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $138,779 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -8.12% less |
Pharmacists in Waynesboro, VA earn a median of $131,840 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.12% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 5.00% below the Virginia state average of $138,779.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waynesboro has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waynesboro, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $131,840 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,752 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,692
2025 BLS Actual
$129,471
2026 Current Est.
$131,840
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Waynesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,692 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,261 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,133 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,973 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,987 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,418 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,471 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,840 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,253 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waynesboro metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $117,692 (2019) to $129,471 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,253 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,561 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waynesboro 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) | $95,983 – $121,873 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $121,873 – $131,840 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,840 – $143,491 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,491 – $158,876 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Waynesboro
Despite the relatively modest salary compared to national counterparts, Waynesboro's job market for pharmacists remains steady, with four professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index at 103.2 indicates that while salaries are competitive, day-to-day expenses are slightly elevated. Retail pharmacy chains, such as CVS and Walgreens, typically offer lower compensation compared to hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacy roles, where pay can significantly increase due to factors like board certification stipends and shift differentials. With the contraction of retail pharmacy operations, pursuing a PGY-1 or PGY-2 residency may enhance earning potential. Pharmacists seeking to maximize their pay in Waynesboro should also consider branching into clinical or specialty settings, where demand is rising and compensation is increasingly attractive.
More salary data for Waynesboro, 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 $129,471 for pharmacistsin the Waynesboro 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 Waynesboro 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