Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Clearwater, FL: $68.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Clearwater, FL runs $68.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,454 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Clearwater's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,867 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Clearwater, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to be $68.00 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $68.99. This rate allows for a comfortable income for pharmacists whether they work full-time or part-time in various settings. A part-time pharmacist taking shifts three days a week could easily balance work and life while also seeing solid earnings, especially in environments like retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy clean rooms. With an hourly range that spans from $45.27 for entry-level pharmacists to $88.55 for those at the top of their field, Clearwater pharmacists have opportunities for significant financial growth while contributing to patient care.
About the Clearwater Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.27 | $362.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.03 | $480.23 |
| Median (P50) | $68.00 | $544.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.84 | $646.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.55 | $708.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clearwater
Based on $68.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.00/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clearwater, FL can expect to earn approximately $141,444 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,602. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Clearwater.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clearwater
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,720.08 | $11,787 | $141,444 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,632.05 | $7,072 | $84,867 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,088.03 | $4,715 | $56,578 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Clearwater) | $68.00 |
| 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 Clearwater, FL earn a median of $141,454 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.42% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 2.90% above the Florida state average of $137,468.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.00/hr = $84,867/year (purchasing power: $84,193).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,444/year (purchasing power: $140,322).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$60.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Clearwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Clearwater grew 10.0% from $60.70/hr (2019) to $66.78/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.25/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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater
Considering the part-time work landscape, a pharmacist clocking in at 24 hours a week can still earn a respectable income compared to a full-time position. Per diem roles are particularly lucrative, with retail pharmacists often billing between $55 and $75 per hour and hospital clinical pharmacists earning between $60 and $85 per hour. Specialty and critical care roles rate even higher, with per diem earnings ranging from $70 to $95 an hour. Clearwater pharmacists can find varied hourly rates depending on their employment setting—whether in retail chains like CVS or Walgreens, hospital inpatient pharmacies, or specialty pharmacies. However, many pharmacists opt for roles that provide benefits, even if it means accepting lower hourly rates, highlighting the balance between income and overall job satisfaction. Negotiating effectively for hourly wages involves understanding the dynamics of local market rates and the value of added benefits, especially in an evolving job market shaped by consolidation in pharmacy chains.
More salary data for Clearwater, FL:
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 Clearwater. 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 Clearwater 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