Pharmacist Salary

Madison vs Pleasant Prairie: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$161,014
$77.41/hr
Pleasant Prairie, WI
$139,896
$67.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIPleasant Prairie, WI
Median Salary$161,014$139,896
Hourly Rate$77.41$67.26
Entry Level (P10)$114,192$101,811
25th Percentile$132,379$129,293
75th Percentile$173,091$155,149
Top Earner (P90)$173,091$168,457
Total Employed1,1204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($161,014) and Pleasant Prairie ($139,896) pharmacist salaries.MadisonPleasant PrairieMedian Salary$161,014$139,896Entry Level (P10)$114,192$101,811Top Earner (P90)$173,091$168,457US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and Pleasant Prairie is $21,118 (15.10%). 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,Pleasant Prairie spans $66,646. Pleasant Prairie 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
Pleasant Prairie
P10 (Entry)$101,811
P25$129,293
Median$139,896
P75$155,149
P90 (Top)$168,457

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($165,504 effective) pays 10.50% more than Pleasant Prairie ($149,782 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $161,014
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $165,504
Pleasant Prairie
Nominal: $139,896
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $149,782

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 Pleasant Prairie 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 17.3% growth in Pleasant Prairie over the same period.

Madison, WI

+12.8%

$140,220 (2019) → $158,120 (2025)

Pleasant Prairie, WI

+17.3%

$117,110 (2024) → $137,382 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Madison or Pleasant Prairie?

Madison has a higher median pharmacist salary at $161,014/year, compared to Pleasant Prairie at $139,896/year — a difference of $21,118 (15.10%).

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

Madison pharmacists earn $77.41/hr while Pleasant Prairie hygienists earn $67.26/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Pleasant Prairie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $165,504, Pleasant Prairie = $149,782), job availability (1,120 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $114,192 in Madison and $101,811 in Pleasant Prairie. 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