Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Opelika, AL: $64.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Opelika, AL runs $64.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,037 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Opelika's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,016 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Opelika, Alabama, pharmacists earn a median hourly pay of $64.92, which is slightly lower than the national median of $68.99. This rate provides a solid income for those working in diverse settings such as retail pharmacies, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty environments. For part-time pharmacists working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, the pay can become significant, while per-diem workers enjoy flexibility with compensation ranging from $49.55 to $78.85 per hour depending on experience and employer type. As entry-level pharmacists start earning at approximately $49.55 per hour, those with more experience and specialization can reach pay rates as high as $78.85, creating a lucrative environment for top earners in the Opelika area.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.55 | $396.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.85 | $494.81 |
| Median (P50) | $64.92 | $519.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.47 | $595.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.85 | $630.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Opelika
Based on $64.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.92/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Opelika, AL can expect to earn approximately $135,027 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,900. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Opelika.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Opelika
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,596.66 | $11,252 | $135,027 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,558.00 | $6,751 | $81,016 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,038.67 | $4,501 | $54,011 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Opelika) | $64.92 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in Opelika, AL earn a median of $135,037 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.89% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.50% below the Alabama state average of $135,715.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.92/hr = $81,016/year (purchasing power: $92,168).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,027/year (purchasing power: $153,614).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Opelika grew 10.0% from $57.95/hr (2019) to $63.75/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.10/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in Opelika
The decision to work part-time in Opelika can yield a comfortable annual income, with pharmacists taking home about $81,000 based on a 24-hour work week, which contrasts with the robust earnings of full-time work. In the per-diem realm, compensation varies widely depending on the setting; retail pharmacists typically earn between $55 and $75 per hour, while those working in clinical environments or with specializations like oncology may command between $60 and $95 an hour. Retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens offer competitive pay but may lack benefits, pushing some pharmacists to choose higher hourly rates with less job security. Understanding these dynamics, pharmacists should approach negotiations thoughtfully, considering factors beyond just hourly pay, such as stability and healthcare benefits, particularly as the health landscape is shifting due to the rising demand for clinical services in the community.
More salary data for Opelika, AL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in Opelika. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Opelika is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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