Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $71.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Albuquerque, NM runs $71.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $149,690 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $75.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,810 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacists in Albuquerque, NM, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $71.96, which surpasses the national median of $68.99. This favorable rate provides significant earning potential for both part-time and per-diem professionals, particularly those working in diverse settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacy clean rooms, and ambulatory care clinic exam rooms. For instance, a part-time pharmacist working three days a week could secure a solid income, while per-diem roles are also appealing due to their flexibility and slightly higher pay scales. The hourly pay range for pharmacists in 2026 spans from $51.01 for entry-level positions to as much as $87.58 for experienced professionals in Albuquerque, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.01 | $408.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.66 | $525.28 |
| Median (P50) | $71.96 | $575.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.60 | $644.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.58 | $700.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
Based on $71.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.96/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albuquerque, NM can expect to earn approximately $149,684 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $86,356. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albuquerque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albuquerque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,878.53 | $12,474 | $149,684 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,727.12 | $7,484 | $89,810 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,151.41 | $4,989 | $59,873 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Albuquerque) | $71.96 |
| 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 Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $149,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.32% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 10.50% above the New Mexico state average of $135,466.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.96/hr = $89,810/year (purchasing power: $93,997).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $149,684/year (purchasing power: $156,661).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$61.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Albuquerque grew 15.3% from $61.27/hr (2019) to $70.67/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.28/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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque
In terms of part-time earning potential, a pharmacist working a 24-hour week could bring home approximately $56,587 annually, which still represents a competitive income. The realities of per diem roles vary significantly, with retail pharmacists commonly earning between $55-$75/hr, while hospital clinical pharmacists may earn between $60-$85/hr. Specialty pharmacy positions can command hourly rates ranging from $70-$95. The hourly rates differ considerably among various employers, with retail chains like CVS or Walgreens often offering lower pay in exchange for benefits, while positions in specialty pharmacies or hospital settings might pay less hourly but include health benefits. Given the competitive market, pharmacists in Albuquerque should carefully consider the long-term benefits and negotiate their pay based on their specific skills and the demand in their practice area.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
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 Albuquerque. 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