Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Pittsburgh, PA: $65.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Pittsburgh, PA runs $65.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,635 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Pittsburgh's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,982 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $65.69 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $68.99 per hour. This hourly rate provides an attractive earning potential for both part-time and per-diem pharmacists who might work in diverse settings, including retail pharmacy counters, inpatient hospital pharmacy IV rooms, and specialty pharmacy clean rooms. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this rate translates into a reliable income, while per-diem workers can expect compensation based on their expertise and practice area. The hourly wage ranges from $52.70 for entry-level positions to as high as $78.45 for top earners, reflecting the varied responsibilities that pharmacists undertake within the healthcare system. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, illustrating the growth potential in this field.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.70 | $421.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.87 | $502.96 |
| Median (P50) | $65.69 | $525.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.85 | $574.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.45 | $627.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburgh
Based on $65.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.69/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pittsburgh, PA can expect to earn approximately $136,636 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,829. With a cost-of-living index of 94.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pittsburgh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburgh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,627.62 | $11,386 | $136,636 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,576.57 | $6,832 | $81,982 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,051.05 | $4,555 | $54,655 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Pittsburgh) | $65.69 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $136,635 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.78% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $137,737.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.69/hr = $81,982/year (purchasing power: $86,597).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,636/year (purchasing power: $144,328).
CoL index: 94.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Pittsburgh grew 14.7% from $56.23/hr (2019) to $64.51/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.89/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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
The earning potential for part-time pharmacists can be significant; for example, working 24 hours per week at the $65.69 hourly rate brings home about $81,817 annually, which is a comfortable income compared to many professions. Per-diem roles present their own dynamics, where retail pharmacists typically earn between $55 and $75 an hour, while those in clinical settings or specialty areas may see rates range from $60 to as high as $95 per hour. Factors like location, employer type, and industry can greatly affect these hourly rates. For instance, hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacies like Accredo, and mail-order operations often have higher compensation packages compared to retail chains. Furthermore, some pharmacists may opt for roles with lower hourly rates but better benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans. In Pittsburgh's fluctuating market, effective negotiation strategies can be vital for prospective pharmacists, emphasizing how relevant experience and certifications can influence overall pay in a competitive landscape.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
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 Pittsburgh. 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