Pharmacist Salary

Charlotte vs Pinehurst: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$153,336
$73.72/hr
Pinehurst, NC
$134,589
$64.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCPinehurst, NC
Median Salary$153,336$134,589
Hourly Rate$73.72$64.70
Entry Level (P10)$93,449$102,105
25th Percentile$134,212$131,371
75th Percentile$170,168$163,274
Top Earner (P90)$177,113$167,602
Total Employed2,53090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($153,336) and Pinehurst ($134,589) pharmacist salaries.CharlottePinehurstMedian Salary$153,336$134,589Entry Level (P10)$93,449$102,105Top Earner (P90)$177,113$167,602US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Pinehurst is $18,747 (13.93%). Charlotte's median is +6.86% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $83,664,Pinehurst spans $65,497. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$93,449
P25$134,212
Median$153,336
P75$170,168
P90 (Top)$177,113
Pinehurst
P10 (Entry)$102,105
P25$131,371
Median$134,589
P75$163,274
P90 (Top)$167,602

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($157,513 effective) pays 3.38% more than Pinehurst ($152,360 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $153,336
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $157,513
Pinehurst
Nominal: $134,589
CoL Index: 88.336
Adjusted: $152,360

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($153,336/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($177,113)
  • Larger job market (2,530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $157,513)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Pinehurst if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Charlotte grew 16.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -3.4% growth in Pinehurst over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+16.5%

$129,280 (2019) → $150,580 (2025)

Pinehurst, NC

+-3.4%

$136,760 (2024) → $132,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Charlotte or Pinehurst?

Charlotte has a higher median pharmacist salary at $153,336/year, compared to Pinehurst at $134,589/year — a difference of $18,747 (13.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Pinehurst?

Charlotte pharmacists earn $73.72/hr while Pinehurst hygienists earn $64.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Pinehurst as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Pinehurst. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $157,513, Pinehurst = $152,360), job availability (2,530 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Charlotte vs Pinehurst?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $93,449 in Charlotte and $102,105 in Pinehurst. The Pinehurst 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