Pharmacist Salary

Carrboro vs Raleigh: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Carrboro, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carrboro, NC
$131,661
$63.30/hr
Raleigh, NC
$135,556
$65.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrboro, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$131,661$135,556
Hourly Rate$63.30$65.17
Entry Level (P10)$93,630$103,581
25th Percentile$128,551$131,310
75th Percentile$144,767$160,647
Top Earner (P90)$149,135$168,081
Total Employed61,730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrboro ($131,661) and Raleigh ($135,556) pharmacist salaries.CarrboroRaleighMedian Salary$131,661$135,556Entry Level (P10)$93,630$103,581Top Earner (P90)$149,135$168,081US Median $143,489

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carrboro.

The salary gap between Carrboro and Raleigh is $3,895 (2.96%). Raleigh's median is -5.53% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrboro spans $55,505,Raleigh spans $64,500. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Carrboro
P10 (Entry)$93,630
P25$128,551
Median$131,661
P75$144,767
P90 (Top)$149,135
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$103,581
P25$131,310
Median$135,556
P75$160,647
P90 (Top)$168,081

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Carrboro ($140,663 effective) pays 1.86% more than Raleigh ($138,101 effective).

Carrboro
Nominal: $131,661
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $140,663
Raleigh
Nominal: $135,556
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $138,101

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrboro if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,663)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,556/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($168,081)
  • Larger job market (1,730 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Carrboro grew 12.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.7% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Carrboro, NC

+12.7%

$114,686 (2024) → $129,295 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+6.7%

$124,710 (2019) → $133,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Carrboro or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median pharmacist salary at $135,556/year, compared to Carrboro at $131,661/year — a difference of $3,895 (2.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrboro and Raleigh?

Carrboro pharmacists earn $63.30/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $65.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carrboro to Raleigh as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrboro and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrboro = $140,663, Raleigh = $138,101), job availability (6 vs 1,730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Carrboro vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $93,630 in Carrboro and $103,581 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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