Pharmacist Salary in Meridian, ID: $148,911 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Meridian, ID earns a median $148,911/year (≈ $71.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $156,255 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for pharmacists in Meridian, Idaho is projected to reach $148,911, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $143,489 with a 3.78% increase. The salary range for pharmacists spans from $107,644 at the 10th percentile to $189,592 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation structure influenced by the varying roles within the field. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors illustrate that hospital clinical specialists generally command higher salaries than retail pharmacists, particularly pharmacy in-charge (PIC) roles and staff positions, which typically receive lower compensation. This structural divide speaks to the evolving landscape of pharmacy in Meridian, where opportunities in clinical settings are on the rise alongside the current reductions in retail pharmacy chains.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,644 | $51.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,005 | $66.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,911 | $71.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,071 | $81.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,592 | $91.15 |
Median Salary Position
3.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, ID, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,948 (2026 est.). At $148,911, the local median is 3.78% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be above the median
How Meridian Pharmacist Pay Compares
Meridian median: $148,911/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $148,318 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +3.78% more |
Pharmacists in Meridian, ID earn a median of $148,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.78% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.40% above the Idaho state average of $148,318.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meridian, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $148,911 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,255 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$132,931
2025 BLS Actual
$146,235
2026 Current Est.
$148,911
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,931 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,574 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,429 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,767 | Actual |
| 2023 | $141,171 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,235 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,911 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,636 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $132,931 (2019) to $146,235 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,636 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,705 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $107,644 – $138,005 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,005 – $148,911 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,911 – $169,071 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,071 – $189,592 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Meridian
Analyzing the local job market, Meridian employs around 30 pharmacists, contributing to a specific demand that shapes compensation trends. With a cost-of-living index at 95.3, the financial landscape allows for a comfortable standard of living while influencing take-home pay. Employers such as hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies typically offer the highest salaries, in contrast to retail pharmacy chains like CVS or Walgreens, which are undergoing consolidations. Factors driving the salary spectrum include board certification stipends and shift differentials for overnight and weekend work, along with the potential premium for residency-trained candidates. To optimize earnings in Meridian, pharmacists should seek advanced certifications through organizations like BPS, consider specialized roles, expand their skill sets, and remain adaptable in a market that is favoring hospital and specialty positions over traditional roles in retail pharmacy.
More salary data for Meridian, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Meridian, ID in 2026?
Is Meridian, ID a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Meridian?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Meridian?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Meridian?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $146,235 for pharmacistsin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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