Pharmacist Salary

Leland vs Raleigh: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Leland, NC
$129,717
$62.36/hr
Raleigh, NC
$135,556
$65.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLeland, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$129,717$135,556
Hourly Rate$62.36$65.17
Entry Level (P10)$100,585$103,581
25th Percentile$124,277$131,310
75th Percentile$147,942$160,647
Top Earner (P90)$151,070$168,081
Total Employed61,730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Leland ($129,717) and Raleigh ($135,556) pharmacist salaries.LelandRaleighMedian Salary$129,717$135,556Entry Level (P10)$100,585$103,581Top Earner (P90)$151,070$168,081US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Leland and Raleigh is $5,839 (4.50%). 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 Leland spans $50,485,Raleigh spans $64,500. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Leland
P10 (Entry)$100,585
P25$124,277
Median$129,717
P75$147,942
P90 (Top)$151,070
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, Leland ($138,587 effective) pays 0.35% more than Raleigh ($138,101 effective).

Leland
Nominal: $129,717
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $138,587
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 Leland if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $138,587)
  • 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 Leland grew 12.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.7% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Leland, NC

+12.7%

$112,993 (2024) → $127,386 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+6.7%

$124,710 (2019) → $133,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Leland or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median pharmacist salary at $135,556/year, compared to Leland at $129,717/year — a difference of $5,839 (4.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Leland and Raleigh?

Leland pharmacists earn $62.36/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $65.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Leland to Raleigh as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Leland and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Leland = $138,587, Raleigh = $138,101), job availability (6 vs 1,730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $100,585 in Leland 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