Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $71.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $71.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $149,700 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,823 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Salt Lake City, UT, the median pharmacist hourly pay is projected to be $71.97 in 2026, which exceeds the national median of $68.99. This favorable rate indicates a robust market for pharmacists, making it an appealing option for part-time and per-diem workers. For those considering flexible schedules, working three days a week could yield earnings significantly above $50,000 annually depending on hours worked. Within the city's workforce, entry-level pharmacists can expect to earn around $32.48 per hour, while top-tier professionals may reach up to $84.76 per hour. Whether stationed at retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, or specialized facilities, the hourly compensation reflects the complexity and responsibility involved in the profession, with figures deriving from official BLS data.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.48 | $259.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.00 | $519.98 |
| Median (P50) | $71.97 | $575.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.07 | $648.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.76 | $678.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $71.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.97/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $149,705 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $86,368. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,878.94 | $12,475 | $149,705 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,727.36 | $7,485 | $89,823 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,151.58 | $4,990 | $59,882 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Salt Lake City) | $71.97 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $149,700 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.33% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.40% above the Utah state average of $146,192.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.97/hr = $89,823/year (purchasing power: $89,050).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $149,705/year (purchasing power: $148,417).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$59.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Salt Lake City grew 18.5% from $59.67/hr (2019) to $70.68/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.29/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
Many pharmacists in Salt Lake City face unique earning potentials when balancing full-time roles versus part-time or per-diem opportunities. A pharmacist working a 24-hour week can expect to bring home around $72,830 annually, which highlights a reasonable income level for those who prioritize schedule flexibility. Per diem pharmacist pay in Salt Lake City often varies; retail pharmacists typically earn between $55 and $75 per hour, while hospital clinical roles may offer $60 to $85 per hour. Specialty pharmacy positions, especially in oncology or critical care, can command rates as high as $70 to $95 per hour, reflecting the demand for advanced skills. The types of employers—ranging from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to hospital pharmacies and mail-order operations—create variation in pay structures. Pharmacists may find themselves weighing the benefits of higher hourly rates without health coverage against lower rates with stable benefits. Understanding negotiation tactics specific to the Salt Lake City job market can help pharmacists secure the best possible compensation while aligning their career goals with their financial needs.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 Salt Lake City. 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