Pharmacist Salary

Augusta vs Lewiston: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Augusta, ME and Lewiston, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, ME
$134,764
$64.79/hr
Lewiston, ME
$145,454
$69.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, MELewiston, ME
Median Salary$134,764$145,454
Hourly Rate$64.79$69.93
Entry Level (P10)$103,819$113,204
25th Percentile$128,618$133,856
75th Percentile$153,233$162,001
Top Earner (P90)$160,818$166,085
Total Employed480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($134,764) and Lewiston ($145,454) pharmacist salaries.AugustaLewistonMedian Salary$134,764$145,454Entry Level (P10)$103,819$113,204Top Earner (P90)$160,818$166,085US Median $143,489

Verdict

Lewiston, ME offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Lewiston is $10,690 (7.93%). Lewiston's median is +1.37% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $56,999,Lewiston spans $52,881. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$103,819
P25$128,618
Median$134,764
P75$153,233
P90 (Top)$160,818
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$113,204
P25$133,856
Median$145,454
P75$162,001
P90 (Top)$166,085

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lewiston ($153,536 effective) pays 13.47% more than Augusta ($135,305 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $134,764
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $135,305
Lewiston
Nominal: $145,454
CoL Index: 94.736
Adjusted: $153,536

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Higher median salary ($145,454/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($166,085)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $153,536)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Augusta grew 8.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.0% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Augusta, ME

+8.4%

$122,096 (2024) → $132,342 (2025)

Lewiston, ME

+12.0%

$127,550 (2019) → $142,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Augusta or Lewiston?

Lewiston has a higher median pharmacist salary at $145,454/year, compared to Augusta at $134,764/year — a difference of $10,690 (7.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Lewiston?

Augusta pharmacists earn $64.79/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $69.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Lewiston as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $135,305, Lewiston = $153,536), job availability (4 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Augusta vs Lewiston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $103,819 in Augusta and $113,204 in Lewiston. The Lewiston area offers higher starting salaries.
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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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Patel, PharmDData verified by Amina Al-Sayed, PharmD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov