Pharmacist Salary

Overland Park vs Topeka: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Overland Park, KS and Topeka, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Overland Park, KS
$132,562
$63.74/hr
Topeka, KS
$143,397
$68.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOverland Park, KSTopeka, KS
Median Salary$132,562$143,397
Hourly Rate$63.74$68.94
Entry Level (P10)$88,158$75,782
25th Percentile$116,944$126,391
75th Percentile$152,411$169,313
Top Earner (P90)$172,498$172,408
Total Employed29280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Overland Park ($132,562) and Topeka ($143,397) pharmacist salaries.Overland ParkTopekaMedian Salary$132,562$143,397Entry Level (P10)$88,158$75,782Top Earner (P90)$172,498$172,408US Median $143,489

Verdict

Topeka, KS offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Overland Park.

The salary gap between Overland Park and Topeka is $10,835 (8.17%). Topeka's median is -0.06% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Overland Park spans $84,340,Topeka spans $96,626. Topeka has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Overland Park
P10 (Entry)$88,158
P25$116,944
Median$132,562
P75$152,411
P90 (Top)$172,498
Topeka
P10 (Entry)$75,782
P25$126,391
Median$143,397
P75$169,313
P90 (Top)$172,408

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Topeka ($161,447 effective) pays 10.71% more than Overland Park ($145,833 effective).

Overland Park
Nominal: $132,562
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $145,833
Topeka
Nominal: $143,397
CoL Index: 88.82
Adjusted: $161,447

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Overland Park if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($172,498)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Topeka if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,397/year)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $161,447)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Overland Park grew 10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.2% growth in Topeka over the same period.

Overland Park, KS

+10.1%

$118,254 (2024) → $130,180 (2025)

Topeka, KS

+13.2%

$124,350 (2019) → $140,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Overland Park or Topeka?

Topeka has a higher median pharmacist salary at $143,397/year, compared to Overland Park at $132,562/year — a difference of $10,835 (8.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Overland Park and Topeka?

Overland Park pharmacists earn $63.74/hr while Topeka hygienists earn $68.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Overland Park to Topeka as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Overland Park and Topeka. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Overland Park = $145,833, Topeka = $161,447), job availability (29 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Overland Park vs Topeka?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $88,158 in Overland Park and $75,782 in Topeka. The Overland Park 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