Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $69.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $69.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,151 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,091 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the projected pharmacist hourly pay for 2026 is set at $69.78, which slightly exceeds the national median of $68.99. This figure reflects a favorable earning potential for pharmacists, supporting various work arrangements including part-time and per-diem positions. Pharmacists typically work in diverse settings such as retail pharmacy counters, inpatient hospital pharmacies, specialty pharmacy clean rooms, and outpatient clinics. For those working part-time at three days a week, they can expect to earn considerably more than entry-level pay, which starts at $47.56, while top earners can make up to $89.32 per hour. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates and paint a promising outlook for the pharmacist profession in Chapel Hill.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.56 | $380.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.35 | $498.80 |
| Median (P50) | $69.78 | $558.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.62 | $636.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.32 | $714.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $69.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.78/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $145,151 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,741. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,791.36 | $12,096 | $145,151 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,674.82 | $7,258 | $87,091 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,116.55 | $4,838 | $58,060 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Chapel Hill) | $69.78 |
| 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 Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $145,151 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.16% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 3.90% above the North Carolina state average of $139,702.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.78/hr = $87,091/year (purchasing power: $93,045).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,151/year (purchasing power: $155,076).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$62.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Chapel Hill grew 10.0% from $62.30/hr (2019) to $68.53/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.06/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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill
For those considering part-time work, a pharmacist employed three days a week, averaging 24 hours, could expect to take home about $87,000 annually, providing a substantial income while enjoying a flexible schedule. Per-diem or agency pharmacists can enjoy varying pay rates; typically, retail pharmacists bill between $55 and $75 per hour, while specialized hospital roles compensate higher, reaching up to $85 per hour. Different types of employers, including retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, as well as specialty pharmacies and hospitals, influence how much pharmacists can earn in Chapel Hill. Some may opt for lower hourly wages to receive benefits like health insurance, while others might prioritize higher pay without additional perks. Negotiating hourly rates can be beneficial, especially in this shifting environment, where demand may shift due to changes in pharmacy services and job market dynamics.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
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 Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill 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