Pharmacist Salary in Van Buren, AR: $127,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Van Buren, AR earns a median $127,794/year (≈ $61.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Van Buren's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $147,059 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected pharmacist salary in Van Buren, Arkansas, is estimated at $127,794, a figure that falls about 10.94% below the national median of $143,489. The local salary range spans from $99,006 at the 10th percentile to $153,116 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability in pharmacist pay across different employers and roles. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional price parities and the recent wave of consolidation among retail pharmacy chains. Such consolidation has impacted local pay, making it crucial for pharmacists in Van Buren to understand the broader economic changes shaping their industry and to seek out opportunities that offer the potential for better compensation.
About the Van Buren Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,006 | $47.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,371 | $58.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,794 | $61.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,688 | $70.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,116 | $73.61 |
Median Salary Position
10.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Van Buren
In Van Buren, AR, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,110 (2026 est.). At $127,794, the local median is 10.94% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Van Buren: You'd be above the median
How Van Buren Pharmacist Pay Compares
Van Buren median: $127,794/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Van Buren Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $137,709 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -10.94% less |
Pharmacists in Van Buren, AR earn a median of $127,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.94% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $137,709.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Van Buren has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Van Buren, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $127,794 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,059 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,079
2025 BLS Actual
$125,497
2026 Current Est.
$127,794
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Van Buren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,079 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,631 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,507 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,151 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,829 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,497 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,132 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Van Buren metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $114,079 (2019) to $125,497 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,132 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,053 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Van Buren 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $99,006 – $122,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,371 – $127,794 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,794 – $145,688 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,688 – $153,116 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Van Buren
The local job market for pharmacists in Van Buren is characterized by the employment of five professionals in the area, indicating a modest demand. With a cost of living index of 86.9, living expenses are reasonably lower than the national average, enhancing the take-home purchasing power for pharmacists. Major employers in the region, such as CVS and Walmart, typically provide the most competitive salaries. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include the role's setting—hospital pharmacists generally earn more than retail pharmacists, especially those in supervising positions—along with additional pay for board certifications, shift differentials, and residency training. To maximize pharmacist pay in Van Buren, pursuing board certifications and exploring roles in the expanding hospital sector or specialty pharmacies may yield better financial outcomes in light of ongoing trends in the pharmacy industry.
More salary data for Van Buren, AR:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $125,497 for pharmacistsin the Van Buren metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Van Buren 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