Pharmacist Salary in Smyrna, DE: $135,192 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Smyrna, DE earns a median $135,192/year (≈ $65.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Smyrna's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $132,932 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Smyrna, Delaware, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $135,192. This figure reflects the impacts of post-2023 retail chain consolidation, which has significantly influenced local pay scales. The range for pharmacist salaries in the area spans from $104,295 at the 10th percentile to $156,530 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diverse job market. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for local economic conditions. Despite this positive outlook, Smyrna's earnings are slightly below the national median of $143,489, indicating that job seekers need to be strategic in their approach to maximize opportunities in the local market.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $104,295 | $50.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,134 | $62.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,192 | $65.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,152 | $72.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,530 | $75.25 |
Median Salary Position
5.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Smyrna
In Smyrna, DE, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,235 (2026 est.). At $135,192, the local median is 5.78% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Smyrna: You'd be above the median
How Smyrna Pharmacist Pay Compares
Smyrna median: $135,192/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Smyrna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $145,995 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -5.78% less |
Pharmacists in Smyrna, DE earn a median of $135,192 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.78% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 7.40% below the Delaware state average of $145,995.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Smyrna has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Smyrna, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,192 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,932 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,683
2025 BLS Actual
$132,762
2026 Current Est.
$135,192
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,267 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,136 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,074 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,367 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,762 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,192 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,666 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Smyrna metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $120,683 (2019) to $132,762 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,666 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,983 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Smyrna 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) | $104,295 – $129,134 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,134 – $135,192 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,192 – $151,152 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,152 – $156,530 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Smyrna
Currently, Smyrna employs five pharmacists, and while the job market remains stable, the local cost of living index stands at 101.7, suggesting that despite a strong salary, purchasing power may be impacted. Retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offer competitive pay, but specialty pharmacies and inpatient hospital roles tend to provide the highest salaries. Factors influencing pay variation in Smyrna include the type of practice setting, qualifications such as board certifications or residency training, and job function, with overnight shifts often attracting additional compensation. Given the shifting landscape of pharmacy roles, pharmacists should consider enhancing their qualifications through PGY-1 or PGY-2 residency programs to position themselves advantageously in this evolving market. Exploring opportunities in ambulatory care or specialty areas may also provide pathways to maximize pharmacist pay in Smyrna, DE.
More salary data for Smyrna, DE:
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 $132,762 for pharmacistsin the Smyrna 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 Smyrna 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