Pharmacist Salary

Madison vs Mount Pleasant: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Madison, WI and Mount Pleasant, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$161,014
$77.41/hr
Mount Pleasant, WI
$146,510
$70.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIMount Pleasant, WI
Median Salary$161,014$146,510
Hourly Rate$77.41$70.44
Entry Level (P10)$114,192$100,426
25th Percentile$132,379$140,077
75th Percentile$173,091$163,034
Top Earner (P90)$173,091$169,705
Total Employed1,1205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($161,014) and Mount Pleasant ($146,510) pharmacist salaries.MadisonMount PleasantMedian Salary$161,014$146,510Entry Level (P10)$114,192$100,426Top Earner (P90)$173,091$169,705US Median $143,489

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mount Pleasant.

The salary gap between Madison and Mount Pleasant is $14,504 (9.90%). Madison's median is +12.21% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $58,899,Mount Pleasant spans $69,279. Mount Pleasant has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$114,192
P25$132,379
Median$161,014
P75$173,091
P90 (Top)$173,091
Mount Pleasant
P10 (Entry)$100,426
P25$140,077
Median$146,510
P75$163,034
P90 (Top)$169,705

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($165,504 effective) pays 5.51% more than Mount Pleasant ($156,863 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $161,014
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $165,504
Mount Pleasant
Nominal: $146,510
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $156,863

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($161,014/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($173,091)
  • Larger job market (1,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $165,504)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Pleasant if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Madison grew 12.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.5% growth in Mount Pleasant over the same period.

Madison, WI

+12.8%

$140,220 (2019) → $158,120 (2025)

Mount Pleasant, WI

+20.5%

$119,412 (2024) → $143,877 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Madison or Mount Pleasant?

Madison has a higher median pharmacist salary at $161,014/year, compared to Mount Pleasant at $146,510/year — a difference of $14,504 (9.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Mount Pleasant?

Madison pharmacists earn $77.41/hr while Mount Pleasant hygienists earn $70.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Mount Pleasant as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Mount Pleasant. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $165,504, Mount Pleasant = $156,863), job availability (1,120 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Madison vs Mount Pleasant?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $114,192 in Madison and $100,426 in Mount Pleasant. The Madison 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