Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Palm Bay, FL: $65.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Palm Bay, FL runs $65.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,523 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Palm Bay's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,918 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacists in Palm Bay, FL, earn a median hourly pay of $65.64, slightly below the national median of $68.99. This hourly wage presents lucrative opportunities for those seeking part-time or per-diem positions in various settings, such as retail pharmacy counters, inpatient hospitals, specialty pharmacy clean rooms, or mail-order fulfillment operations. For instance, starting pharmacists may earn around $49.61 per hour, while top earners can make as much as $79.77 per hour, demonstrating a broad scope of compensation based on experience and location preferences. This data, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS projections for 2026, highlights the potential for professionals in the field to effectively balance work-life commitments while enjoying competitive pay structures.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.61 | $396.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.10 | $488.78 |
| Median (P50) | $65.64 | $525.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.34 | $602.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.77 | $638.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palm Bay
Based on $65.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.64/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palm Bay, FL can expect to earn approximately $136,530 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,768. With a cost-of-living index of 100.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Palm Bay.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palm Bay
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,625.58 | $11,378 | $136,530 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,575.35 | $6,827 | $81,918 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,050.23 | $4,551 | $54,612 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Palm Bay) | $65.64 |
| 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 Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $136,523 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.85% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.60% below the Florida state average of $137,348.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.64/hr = $81,918/year (purchasing power: $81,914).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,530/year (purchasing power: $136,524).
CoL index: 100.005 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$60.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Palm Bay grew 7.1% from $60.20/hr (2019) to $64.46/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.84/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 Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay
Looking at the numbers reveals the financial dynamics for part-time pharmacists working three days a week in Palm Bay. A pharmacist working a total of 24 hours weekly at the median rate could earn approximately $68,646 annually, presenting a substantial income compared to the pressures of full-time roles. Meanwhile, per diem pharmacist pay varies; retail pharmacists might earn between $55-$75 per hour, while hospital and specialty pharmacy positions can reach $60-$95 per hour. This pay disparity often leads professionals to trade hourly rates for benefits, as some prefer the stability of traditional employment over higher hourly rates without health insurance. When negotiating hourly rates, pharmacists in Palm Bay can emphasize their certifications from organizations like ASHP and APhA and consider the shifting demands due to retail chain consolidations. Understanding the unique pay structure among different employer types—such as retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, along with mail-order services—empowers pharmacists to navigate their career paths effectively and secure favorable terms.
More salary data for Palm Bay, 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 Palm Bay. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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