Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in Williamsport, PA: $112,767 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacists entering the Williamsport, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $112,767 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williamsport's local price level (BEA RPP 92.3 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $122,108 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($153,875) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the pharmacy profession in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, can expect an entry-level pharmacist salary around $112,767. This starting pay reflects a significant gap when compared to the city median salary of $153,875. However, early-career pharmacists have a positive trajectory, with potential earnings rising to $134,507 as they gain experience. This growth trend offers a promising roadmap for new graduates looking to establish themselves in the field. Given the favorable median compared to the national average of $143,489, Williamsport presents a competitive market for freshly minted pharmacists seeking to launch their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williamsport
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williamsport
Entry-level pharmacists in Williamsport, PA typically start between $112,767 and $134,507 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $60,375 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $153,875 — 7.24% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Pennsylvania of $170,000 represents just 150.75% of the starting pharmacist pay ($112,767/year) in Williamsport. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACPE-accredited PharmD program data and AACP tuition survey reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type (public in-state vs. private).
PharmD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Williamsport
- 1Research the Williamsport market: entry-level pharmacist pay ranges from $112,767 to $134,507, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the pharmacy field — employers in PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Williamsport, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Williamsport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williamsport's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Pharmacist Compensation Range
The pharmacist wage spread in Williamsport is $60,375 ( 53.54%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $112,767, experienced hygienists can earn up to $173,142.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$91,220
2025 BLS Actual
$110,740
2026 Current Est.
$112,767
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Williamsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,767 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,830 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacist compensation (10th percentile) in Williamsport, PA grew 21.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $91,220 in 2019 to $110,740 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $114,830. New graduates entering the Williamsport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsport metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your pharmacy Career in Williamsport
New graduates should target employment opportunities with local hospital systems or retail chain pharmacies, as these employers are among the largest in Williamsport. Many hospitals offer PGY-1 residencies, which are becoming increasingly important for those aiming for clinical roles. Retail chains like CVS and Walgreens continue to hire new grads, albeit with sign-on bonuses that have recently dipped from their earlier highs. To enhance starting pay in Pennsylvania, candidates should ensure they possess an ACPE-accredited PharmD degree, pass the NAPLEX and MPJE exams for state licensing, and consider completing optional PGY-1 or PGY-2 residencies. Compounding these credentials with BPS board certifications can further elevate salary potential. Given the dynamics of the pharmacy sector, where traditional retail roles are contracting while hospital and specialty positions expand, entry-level pharmacists in their first three years can anticipate realistic salary growth opportunities as they adapt to these evolving roles and responsibilities.
More salary data for Williamsport, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new pharmacy graduates. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Williamsport. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov