Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Cleveland, OH: $68.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Cleveland, OH runs $68.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,265 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,960 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Pharmacist hourly pay in Cleveland, Ohio, is projected to be $68.88 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $68.99. This rate offers a competitive advantage for both full-time and part-time positions in various settings like retail pharmacy counters and hospital inpatient pharmacies. For part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week, this hourly rate translates into substantial earnings, especially in high-demand areas like specialty pharmacy clean rooms or mail-order fulfillment operations. Entry-level pharmacists can expect to earn $26.73 per hour, while seasoned professionals might earn up to $81.22, reflecting the range of opportunities available in Cleveland’s evolving pharmacy landscape. The provided data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, underscores the ascribed hourly structure, showcasing the significant financial potential for pharmacists within the state.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.73 | $213.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.29 | $514.28 |
| Median (P50) | $68.88 | $551.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.32 | $602.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.22 | $649.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $68.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.88/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, OH can expect to earn approximately $143,266 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,653. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,755.11 | $11,939 | $143,266 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,653.07 | $7,163 | $85,960 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,102.04 | $4,776 | $57,306 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Cleveland) | $68.88 |
| 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 Cleveland, OH earn a median of $143,265 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.16% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 3.50% above the Ohio state average of $138,420.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.88/hr = $85,960/year (purchasing power: $91,521).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,266/year (purchasing power: $152,535).
CoL index: 93.923 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$59.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $63.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $65.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Cleveland grew 14.5% from $59.10/hr (2019) to $67.64/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.14/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
For those considering part-time positions, working as a pharmacist three days a week (approximately 24 hours) would yield a notable income while providing flexibility. In comparison to full-time salaried positions, these part-time roles offer a different financial dynamic, particularly for individuals seeking a better work-life balance. Per-diem pharmacist pay in Cleveland tends to vary; retail pharmacists generally earn between $55 and $75 per hour, while hospital clinical pharmacists can earn between $60 and $85. Specialty roles, including oncology or critical care, may command rates ranging from $70 to $95 per hour, reflecting the skills needed in those settings. This variance is characteristic of the local employment market where retail pharmacy operations face challenges due to chain consolidations, leading to potential downward pressure on hourly rates. On the flip side, positions in health systems or specialty pharmacies often come with lower hourly rates but may include benefits like health insurance, making them more appealing for long-term careers. Pharmacists negotiating hourly pay in Cleveland should clearly articulate their skills, certifications, and potential contributions to leverage better compensation, especially when considering the turn in the retail pharmacy landscape and increased roles in ambulatory care clinics.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 Cleveland. 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