Pharmacist Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $152,460 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $152,460/year (≈ $73.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $164,296 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacy profession in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, shows promising financial prospects, with a median annual salary of $152,460. The pay scale ranges significantly, from about $107,991 at the 10th percentile to $175,137 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse roles pharmacists may inhabit. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, which highlight the distinct earnings potential for hospital clinical specialists compared to retail pharmacy positions; while retail pharmacists typically earn less, the highest-paying roles concentrate within clinical and specialty pharmacy settings. Given this context, Eau Claire's job market presents a competitive landscape for pharmacists, driven by the duality of retail chain setbacks and hospital employment growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,991 | $51.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,972 | $63.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,460 | $73.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,125 | $79.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,137 | $84.20 |
Median Salary Position
6.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,146 (2026 est.). At $152,460, the local median is 6.25% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be above the median
How Eau Claire Pharmacist Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $152,460/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,304 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +6.25% more |
Pharmacists in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $152,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 3.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $147,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire 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.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $152,460 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $164,296 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,830
2025 BLS Actual
$149,720
2026 Current Est.
$152,460
2019–2027 Growth
+17.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,460 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $155,250 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 13.6% from $131,830 (2019) to $149,720 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $155,250 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,420 (17.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $107,991 – $131,972 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,972 – $152,460 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,460 – $166,125 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,125 – $175,137 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Eau Claire
The local job market is currently home to approximately 180 pharmacists, providing a stable community for pharmacy professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 92.796, living expenses in Eau Claire are below the national average, which enhances the take-home purchasing power of those in the field. Factors influencing earnings include employer type, with hospitals often offering higher compensation compared to retail chains like CVS or Walgreens. The spread between lower and higher salaries can depend on board certifications, residency training, and specialty certifications, which can command premium pay. As retail pharmacy firms engage in consolidations that impact staffing, those looking to maximize their earning potential should embrace advanced certifications and consider residency training to align with the expanding opportunities within hospital and specialty pharmacy sectors in Eau Claire, WI.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
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 $149,720 for pharmacistsin the Eau Claire 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