Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Gaithersburg, MD: $75.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Gaithersburg, MD runs $75.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,979 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Gaithersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,792 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Gaithersburg, MD, the pharmacist hourly pay is notably strong, with a median rate of $75.95/hr, exceeding the national hourly median of $68.99/hr by approximately 10.10%. For those looking to work part-time, such as three days a week, this rate translates to a respectable income, particularly in diverse settings such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, and specialty pharmacy operations. The hourly compensation ranges significantly, from $52.88 at the 10th percentile to $90.80 at the 90th percentile, providing ample opportunity for both entry-level and experienced pharmacists. These figures, derived from annual salary estimates, offer valuable insight into the potential earnings available within Gaithersburg's pharmacy sector.
About the Gaithersburg Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.88 | $423.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68.69 | $549.56 |
| Median (P50) | $75.95 | $607.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.60 | $700.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.80 | $726.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gaithersburg
Based on $75.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.95/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gaithersburg, MD can expect to earn approximately $157,986 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $91,146. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Gaithersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gaithersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,038.20 | $13,166 | $157,986 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,822.92 | $7,899 | $94,792 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,215.28 | $5,266 | $63,195 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Gaithersburg) | $75.95 |
| 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 Gaithersburg, MD earn a median of $157,979 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.70% above the Maryland state average of $156,881.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.95/hr = $94,792/year (purchasing power: $86,726).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,986/year (purchasing power: $144,544).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$67.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Gaithersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $68.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $68.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $70.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Gaithersburg grew 10.0% from $67.80/hr (2019) to $74.59/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $77.34/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 Gaithersburg 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 Gaithersburg
In terms of part-time earnings, a pharmacist working 24 hours a week would bring home an annual take-home roughly aligned with full-time rates, depending on their exact hourly rate and shifts. Alternatively, per diem pharmacist pay in Gaithersburg reveals various wage brackets, with retail pharmacists billing between $55-$75/hr, while those in specialized hospital roles can command $60-$85/hr, reflecting the varying levels of expertise and responsibility. Specialty oncology or critical care pharmacists see even higher rates, ranging from $70-$95/hr. Hourly rates across employer types also vary, from retail chain operations like CVS and Walgreens to specialty pharmacies and mail-order fulfillment centers. For some pharmacists, the choice between a higher hourly wage without benefits and a slightly lower rate with health insurance is a significant trade-off, particularly when it comes to negotiation strategies in this competitive healthcare environment.
More salary data for Gaithersburg, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Gaithersburg in 2026?
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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 Gaithersburg. 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 Gaithersburg 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