Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Ashland, KY: $66.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Ashland, KY runs $66.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,477 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Ashland's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,087 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ashland, Kentucky, the projected pharmacist hourly pay for 2026 is set at $66.58, falling slightly below the national median of $68.99. This hourly rate provides an appealing opportunity for both full-time pharmacists and those pursuing part-time roles, such as working three days a week. For part-time professionals, a typical schedule in various settings—like retail pharmacy counters and hospital inpatient pharmacies—can equate to substantial earnings, while still allowing flexibility. Per-diem pharmacists in Ashland can find themselves in a diverse hourly range, spanning from the lower bracket of $48.41 to the higher end of $76.59, depending on their experience and the specific healthcare environment they operate within. Such flexibility in hours can attract pharmacists seeking to balance professional obligations with personal commitments, making the hourly rate an essential consideration in the field.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.41 | $387.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.66 | $493.26 |
| Median (P50) | $66.58 | $532.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.93 | $591.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.59 | $612.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ashland
Based on $66.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.58/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ashland, KY can expect to earn approximately $138,479 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,892. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ashland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ashland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,663.06 | $11,540 | $138,479 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,597.83 | $6,924 | $83,087 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,065.22 | $4,616 | $55,392 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Ashland) | $66.58 |
| 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 Ashland, KY earn a median of $138,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.20% above the Kentucky state average of $138,200.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.58/hr = $83,087/year (purchasing power: $93,043).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,479/year (purchasing power: $155,072).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$59.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Ashland grew 10.0% from $59.43/hr (2019) to $65.38/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.79/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 Ashland 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 Ashland
The earning potential for part-time pharmacists in Ashland can be significant, despite often being eclipsed by their full-time counterparts. A pharmacist working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $83,124 annually, a respectable income when considered against full-time earnings. Per-diem arrangements further illustrate the diversity in pay rates across differing pharmacy environments. Retail pharmacists billing $55-$75 per hour face a contrast in pay scales compared to their hospital and specialty counterparts, where rates can reach $60-$95 per hour. Specialty and clinical pharmacists typically command higher rates due to the increased demand for advanced expertise in settings like oncology or critical care. Even though some may opt for lower-paying retail roles to secure health insurance benefits, the trade-offs are significant. For those aiming for the highest pay possible in Ashland, negotiating compensation while weighing employer benefits becomes a critical strategy in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Ashland in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacists make in Ashland?
Are pharmacists in Ashland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacist make per year in Ashland?
Do pharmacists earn more per hour working part-time in Ashland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Ashland. 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 Ashland 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