Pharmacist Salary

Kansas City vs Lee's Summit: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Kansas City, MO and Lee's Summit, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, MO
$142,012
$68.28/hr
Lee's Summit, MO
$138,039
$66.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MOLee's Summit, MO
Median Salary$142,012$138,039
Hourly Rate$68.28$66.36
Entry Level (P10)$87,065$97,240
25th Percentile$133,010$125,895
75th Percentile$165,576$162,911
Top Earner (P90)$175,585$177,754
Total Employed2,64020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($142,012) and Lee's Summit ($138,039) pharmacist salaries.Kansas CityLee's SummitMedian Salary$142,012$138,039Entry Level (P10)$87,065$97,240Top Earner (P90)$175,585$177,754US Median $143,489

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lee's Summit.

The salary gap between Kansas City and Lee's Summit is $3,973 (2.88%). Kansas City's median is -1.03% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $88,520,Lee's Summit spans $80,514. Kansas City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$87,065
P25$133,010
Median$142,012
P75$165,576
P90 (Top)$175,585
Lee's Summit
P10 (Entry)$97,240
P25$125,895
Median$138,039
P75$162,911
P90 (Top)$177,754

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lee's Summit ($154,061 effective) pays 0.40% more than Kansas City ($153,455 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $142,012
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $153,455
Lee's Summit
Nominal: $138,039
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $154,061

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($142,012/year)
  • Larger job market (2,640 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Lee's Summit if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($177,754)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,061)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Kansas City grew 9.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.2% growth in Lee's Summit over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+9.2%

$127,700 (2019) → $139,460 (2025)

Lee's Summit, MO

+19.2%

$113,680 (2024) → $135,558 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Kansas City or Lee's Summit?

Kansas City has a higher median pharmacist salary at $142,012/year, compared to Lee's Summit at $138,039/year — a difference of $3,973 (2.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and Lee's Summit?

Kansas City pharmacists earn $68.28/hr while Lee's Summit hygienists earn $66.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to Lee's Summit as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and Lee's Summit. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $153,455, Lee's Summit = $154,061), job availability (2,640 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Kansas City vs Lee's Summit?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $87,065 in Kansas City and $97,240 in Lee's Summit. The Lee's Summit 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