Pharmacist Salary

Burlington vs Montpelier: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Burlington, VT and Montpelier, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, VT
$158,386
$76.15/hr
Montpelier, VT
$136,780
$65.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, VTMontpelier, VT
Median Salary$158,386$136,780
Hourly Rate$76.15$65.76
Entry Level (P10)$128,367$104,180
25th Percentile$135,291$126,589
75th Percentile$165,576$151,808
Top Earner (P90)$165,830$157,217
Total Employed2504
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($158,386) and Montpelier ($136,780) pharmacist salaries.BurlingtonMontpelierMedian Salary$158,386$136,780Entry Level (P10)$128,367$104,180Top Earner (P90)$165,830$157,217US Median $143,489

Verdict

Burlington, VT offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Montpelier.

The salary gap between Burlington and Montpelier is $21,606 (15.80%). Burlington's median is +10.38% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $37,463,Montpelier spans $53,037. Montpelier has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$128,367
P25$135,291
Median$158,386
P75$165,576
P90 (Top)$165,830
Montpelier
P10 (Entry)$104,180
P25$126,589
Median$136,780
P75$151,808
P90 (Top)$157,217

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($156,897 effective) pays 18.72% more than Montpelier ($132,155 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $158,386
CoL Index: 100.949
Adjusted: $156,897
Montpelier
Nominal: $136,780
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $132,155

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($158,386/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($165,830)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $156,897)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Montpelier if…

  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Burlington grew 5.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.7% growth in Montpelier over the same period.

Burlington, VT

+5.6%

$147,320 (2019) → $155,540 (2025)

Montpelier, VT

+6.7%

$125,829 (2024) → $134,322 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Burlington or Montpelier?

Burlington has a higher median pharmacist salary at $158,386/year, compared to Montpelier at $136,780/year — a difference of $21,606 (15.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Montpelier?

Burlington pharmacists earn $76.15/hr while Montpelier hygienists earn $65.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Montpelier as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Montpelier. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $156,897, Montpelier = $132,155), job availability (250 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Burlington vs Montpelier?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $128,367 in Burlington and $104,180 in Montpelier. The Burlington 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