Pharmacist Salary

Charleston vs Weirton: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Charleston, WV and Weirton, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, WV
$134,069
$64.46/hr
Weirton, WV
$132,002
$63.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, WVWeirton, WV
Median Salary$134,069$132,002
Hourly Rate$64.46$63.46
Entry Level (P10)$81,871$98,826
25th Percentile$126,412$119,569
75th Percentile$150,372$138,265
Top Earner (P90)$170,871$155,342
Total Employed340130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($134,069) and Weirton ($132,002) pharmacist salaries.CharlestonWeirtonMedian Salary$134,069$132,002Entry Level (P10)$81,871$98,826Top Earner (P90)$170,871$155,342US Median $143,489

Verdict

Charleston, WV offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Weirton.

The salary gap between Charleston and Weirton is $2,067 (1.57%). Charleston's median is -6.56% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $89,000,Weirton spans $56,516. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$81,871
P25$126,412
Median$134,069
P75$150,372
P90 (Top)$170,871
Weirton
P10 (Entry)$98,826
P25$119,569
Median$132,002
P75$138,265
P90 (Top)$155,342

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($151,120 effective) pays 1.92% more than Weirton ($148,277 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $134,069
CoL Index: 88.717
Adjusted: $151,120
Weirton
Nominal: $132,002
CoL Index: 89.024
Adjusted: $148,277

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($134,069/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,871)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $151,120)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Weirton if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Charleston grew 4.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.6% growth in Weirton over the same period.

Charleston, WV

+4.8%

$125,670 (2019) → $131,660 (2025)

Weirton, WV

+8.6%

$119,370 (2019) → $129,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Charleston or Weirton?

Charleston has a higher median pharmacist salary at $134,069/year, compared to Weirton at $132,002/year — a difference of $2,067 (1.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Weirton?

Charleston pharmacists earn $64.46/hr while Weirton hygienists earn $63.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Weirton as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Weirton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $151,120, Weirton = $148,277), job availability (340 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Charleston vs Weirton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $81,871 in Charleston and $98,826 in Weirton. The Weirton area offers higher starting salaries.
SC

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