Pharmacist Salary in St. Petersburg, FL: $139,757 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in St. Petersburg, FL earns a median $139,757/year (≈ $67.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in St. Petersburg's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $138,648 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacist salaries in St. Petersburg, Florida, are projected to reach a median of $139,757, a figure that reflects a post-2023 landscape where retail chain consolidation has reshaped local pay dynamics. The salary range for these professionals spans from $98,447 at the 10th percentile to $183,780 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, illustrate the competitive nature of pharmacist compensation in the area. Despite a slight shortfall compared to the national median salary of $143,489, St. Petersburg's market indicates a healthy demand for pharmacists, especially in evolving roles outside traditional retail settings.
About the St. Petersburg Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,447 | $47.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,789 | $61.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,757 | $67.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,022 | $77.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,780 | $88.36 |
Median Salary Position
2.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Petersburg
In St. Petersburg, FL, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,333 (2026 est.). At $139,757, the local median is 2.6% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Petersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Petersburg Pharmacist Pay Compares
St. Petersburg median: $139,757/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Petersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $137,420 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -2.60% less |
Pharmacists in St. Petersburg, FL earn a median of $139,757 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.60% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.70% above the Florida state average of $137,420.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Petersburg has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Petersburg, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,757 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,648 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,758
2025 BLS Actual
$137,245
2026 Current Est.
$139,757
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in St. Petersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,758 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,226 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,297 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,492 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,177 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,245 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,757 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,314 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Petersburg metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $124,758 (2019) to $137,245 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,314 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,556 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Petersburg 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) | $98,447 – $127,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,789 – $139,757 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,757 – $161,022 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,022 – $183,780 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in St. Petersburg
The local job market for pharmacists is relatively small, with only 42 currently employed in St. Petersburg. This limited number suggests a concentrated environment where each position is significant. With a cost of living index at 100.8, slightly above the national average, pharmacists need to be strategic about their roles and benefits to optimize their purchasing power. Generally, retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens tend to offer higher wages than hospital settings; however, specialty and mail-order pharmacies are gaining traction and often provide enhanced compensation packages. Factors influencing the wage disparity include job setting, board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight work, and the impact of recent retail layoffs. To maximize earnings in this St. Petersburg market, pursuing board certification, taking on hospital clinical specialist roles, or acquiring a residency can significantly improve salary potential, reflecting the ongoing evolution within the pharmacy field.
More salary data for St. Petersburg, FL:
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 $137,245 for pharmacistsin the St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg 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