Pharmacist Salary in Topeka, KS: $143,397 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Topeka, KS earns a median $143,397/year (≈ $68.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Topeka's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $161,447 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.9% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Topeka, Kansas, are projected to earn an annual median salary of $143,397, which is slightly below the national median of $143,489. The salary range for pharmacists in the area spans from $75,782 at the 10th percentile to $172,408 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects the duality of professional experiences based on training and roles. Those with a PGY-1 residency often command higher salaries, especially within hospital or specialty pharmacy settings, compared to their counterparts in retail. As the pharmacy job market evolves, particularly with the consolidation of retail chains, positions requiring advanced specialization are becoming more valuable, indicating a shift in demand towards clinical roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,782 | $36.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,391 | $60.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,397 | $68.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,313 | $81.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,408 | $82.89 |
Median Salary Position
0.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
In Topeka, KS, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,626 (2026 est.). At $143,397, the local median is 0.06% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Topeka: You'd be above the median
How Topeka Pharmacist Pay Compares
Topeka median: $143,397/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Topeka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $130,480 | +9.90% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -0.06% less |
Pharmacists in Topeka, KS earn a median of $143,397 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.06% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 9.90% above the Kansas state average of $130,480.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Topeka has a cost of living 11.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Topeka, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $143,397 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $161,447 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.59% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,350
2025 BLS Actual
$140,820
2026 Current Est.
$143,397
2019–2027 Growth
+17.4%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,397 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,021 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Topeka metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 13.2% from $124,350 (2019) to $140,820 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,021 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,671 (17.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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) | $75,782 – $126,391 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,391 – $143,397 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,397 – $169,313 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,313 – $172,408 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Topeka
In the Topeka job market, about 280 pharmacists are currently employed, indicating a steady need for pharmaceutical professionals in the region. The area boasts a cost of living index of 88.82, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power remains relatively favorable compared to the national average. Retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens are primary employers but may not offer the same compensation as hospital positions or specialty pharmacies such as CVS Specialty. Factors influencing salary disparities include a range of elements such as board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight roles, and the inevitable impact of past retail chain consolidation. For pharmacists looking to maximize their pay in Topeka, seeking out board certifications and specialized roles, or considering positions in hospital settings may prove beneficial as the landscape continues to change.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
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 $140,820 for pharmacistsin the Topeka 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
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