Pharmacist Salary

Cape Girardeau vs Kansas City: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Cape Girardeau, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cape Girardeau, MO
$143,835
$69.15/hr
Kansas City, MO
$142,012
$68.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCape Girardeau, MOKansas City, MO
Median Salary$143,835$142,012
Hourly Rate$69.15$68.28
Entry Level (P10)$126,381$87,065
25th Percentile$133,458$133,010
75th Percentile$169,017$165,576
Top Earner (P90)$180,718$175,585
Total Employed1002,640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cape Girardeau ($143,835) and Kansas City ($142,012) pharmacist salaries.Cape GirardeauKansas CityMedian Salary$143,835$142,012Entry Level (P10)$126,381$87,065Top Earner (P90)$180,718$175,585US Median $143,489

Verdict

Cape Girardeau, MO offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kansas City.

The salary gap between Cape Girardeau and Kansas City is $1,823 (1.28%). Cape Girardeau's median is +0.24% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cape Girardeau spans $54,337,Kansas City spans $88,520. Kansas City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Cape Girardeau
P10 (Entry)$126,381
P25$133,458
Median$143,835
P75$169,017
P90 (Top)$180,718
Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$87,065
P25$133,010
Median$142,012
P75$165,576
P90 (Top)$175,585

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cape Girardeau ($167,098 effective) pays 8.89% more than Kansas City ($153,455 effective).

Cape Girardeau
Nominal: $143,835
CoL Index: 86.078
Adjusted: $167,098
Kansas City
Nominal: $142,012
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $153,455

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cape Girardeau if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,835/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($180,718)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $167,098)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Larger job market (2,640 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Cape Girardeau grew 9.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.2% growth in Kansas City over the same period.

Cape Girardeau, MO

+9.0%

$129,620 (2019) → $141,250 (2025)

Kansas City, MO

+9.2%

$127,700 (2019) → $139,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Cape Girardeau or Kansas City?

Cape Girardeau has a higher median pharmacist salary at $143,835/year, compared to Kansas City at $142,012/year — a difference of $1,823 (1.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cape Girardeau and Kansas City?

Cape Girardeau pharmacists earn $69.15/hr while Kansas City hygienists earn $68.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cape Girardeau to Kansas City as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cape Girardeau and Kansas City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cape Girardeau = $167,098, Kansas City = $153,455), job availability (100 vs 2,640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Cape Girardeau vs Kansas City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $126,381 in Cape Girardeau and $87,065 in Kansas City. The Cape Girardeau 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