Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Reading, PA: $70.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Reading, PA runs $70.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,831 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Reading's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,497 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $70.11 in 2026, which is slightly higher than the national median of $68.99. This competitive hourly rate can attract both part-time employees and per-diem workers, allowing pharmacists to earn substantial income while maintaining flexible schedules. Pharmacists working just three days a week (approximately 24 hours total) could still achieve a significant income. The hourly range for pharmacists in Reading varies considerably from $58.44 for entry-level positions to $86.61 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse opportunities across settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, specialty operations, and ambulatory clinics. These figures are derived from the most recent data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58.44 | $467.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.10 | $520.80 |
| Median (P50) | $70.11 | $560.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.33 | $610.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.61 | $692.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Reading
Based on $70.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.11/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Reading, PA can expect to earn approximately $145,829 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,132. With a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Reading.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Reading
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,804.40 | $12,152 | $145,829 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,682.64 | $7,291 | $87,497 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,121.76 | $4,861 | $58,331 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Reading) | $70.11 |
| 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 Reading, PA earn a median of $145,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.63% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 5.90% above the Pennsylvania state average of $137,706.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.11/hr = $87,497/year (purchasing power: $90,148).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,829/year (purchasing power: $150,246).
CoL index: 97.06 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$60.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Reading grew 13.4% from $60.74/hr (2019) to $68.85/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.39/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 Reading 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 Reading
Part-time pharmacists in Reading can look to earn a substantial income, with a typical three-day work schedule yielding around $86,573 annually. This is a significant contrast to full-time roles that entail longer hours but offer greater overall stability. Per-diem work also presents another avenue for income, where retail pharmacists may bill between $55 and $75 per hour, while those in hospital settings earn anywhere from $60 to $85 per hour. Specializations such as oncology and critical care can command even higher rates, reaching $70 to $95 per hour. The hourly pay for pharmacists in Reading may fluctuate depending on employer type; for instance, retail chains like CVS and Walgreens may offer different rates compared to hospital pharmacies or specialty settings like Accredo. Trade-offs also exist, with some pharmacists choosing positions that provide lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Negotiating hourly rates requires an understanding of local market conditions, as Reading's pharmacist hourly rate reflects the broader trends impacting the pharmacy profession across PA.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Reading in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacists make in Reading?
Are pharmacists in Reading paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacist make per year in Reading?
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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 Reading. 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