Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Columbus, GA: $65.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Columbus, GA runs $65.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,220 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,130 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacists in Columbus, Georgia, earn a median hourly rate of $65.01, which positions them slightly below the national median of $68.99. This figure is particularly relevant for those considering part-time or per-diem opportunities in various pharmacy settings, such as retail counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacies. For instance, a pharmacist working three days a week at this hourly rate could expect to bring home a substantial paycheck while enjoying more flexible scheduling. The hourly range for pharmacists in Columbus extends from $52.33 at the lower end to $84.91 for top earners, reflecting different levels of experience and the complexities of the work environment, according to projections based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.33 | $418.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.86 | $486.91 |
| Median (P50) | $65.01 | $520.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.28 | $602.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.91 | $679.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $65.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.01/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, GA can expect to earn approximately $135,217 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,010. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,600.33 | $11,268 | $135,217 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,560.20 | $6,761 | $81,130 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,040.13 | $4,507 | $54,087 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Columbus) | $65.01 |
| 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 Columbus, GA earn a median of $135,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.76% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.60% below the Georgia state average of $136,036.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.01/hr = $81,130/year (purchasing power: $90,855).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,217/year (purchasing power: $151,426).
CoL index: 89.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$64.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+2.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Columbus grew -1.0% from $64.46/hr (2019) to $63.84/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.20/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
When examining the earnings potential for part-time pharmacists in Columbus, the financial implications can be significant. A pharmacist working 24 hours a week could expect to earn approximately $81,200 annually, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem positions, often sought after for their flexibility, tend to yield varying rates; for example, retail pharmacists may earn between $55 and $75 per hour, while specialized roles, such as clinical pharmacy or infusions, command even higher rates from $60 to $95 per hour. The diversity in hourly pay across different employer types—ranging from retail chains like Kroger and CVS to specialty operations and mail-order pharmacies—also influences what pharmacists can negotiate. This intricate balance of pay versus benefits often leads pharmacists to make strategic choices, where hourly rates may be lower for positions offering healthcare benefits, whereas those seeking higher pay may opt for per diem work without extensive benefits. Understanding these dynamics can aid pharmacists in making informed career decisions in Columbus.
More salary data for Columbus, GA:
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 Columbus. 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