Pharmacist Salary in Worcester, MA: $135,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Worcester, MA earns a median $135,363/year (≈ $65.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Worcester's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $132,032 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual pharmacist salary in Worcester, Massachusetts is projected to be $135,363, which reflects a slight decrease when compared to the national median of $143,489. Pharmacists in this city experience a broad salary range, from $82,910 at the lower 10th percentile to $157,796 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the disparity often seen between various roles within pharmacy. Notably, hospital clinical specialists, who typically command higher salaries due to the advanced training and responsibilities involved, differ significantly from retail pharmacy operations, where pay structures often scale down based on experience and intra-chain hierarchical positioning. Thus, understanding the local employment dynamics is crucial for those pursuing a career in pharmacy within Worcester.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,910 | $39.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,849 | $63.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,363 | $65.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,596 | $74.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,796 | $75.86 |
Median Salary Position
5.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Worcester
In Worcester, MA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,886 (2026 est.). At $135,363, the local median is 5.66% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Worcester: You'd be above the median
How Worcester Pharmacist Pay Compares
Worcester median: $135,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Worcester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $141,445 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -5.66% less |
Pharmacists in Worcester, MA earn a median of $135,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.66% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $141,445.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Worcester has a cost of living 2.52% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Worcester, MA has a cost-of-living index of 102.523 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,363 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,032 — a 2.46% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,290
2025 BLS Actual
$132,930
2026 Current Est.
$135,363
2019–2027 Growth
+10.9%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Worcester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,840 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Worcester metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 7.0% from $124,290 (2019) to $132,930 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,840 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,550 (10.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Worcester 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) | $82,910 – $131,849 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,849 – $135,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,363 – $155,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,596 – $157,796 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Worcester
The job market for pharmacists in Worcester is driven by strong local employment opportunities, with approximately 760 pharmacists currently employed in the area. Despite a cost of living index slightly above the national average at 102.523, the real purchasing power can be affected by salary variations across different pharmacy settings. Employers like hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies usually provide more competitive compensation compared to retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens. Factors contributing to the pay spectrum include certification stipends for board-certified pharmacists, differentials for night shifts in retail settings, and the increasing emphasis on residency training for specialized positions. With the retail sector experiencing consolidation, those entering the field may find more lucrative prospects in hospitals and specialty pharmacies. For pharmacists in Worcester, acquiring board certification and pursuing residency programs may serve as advantageous steps toward maximizing their potential earnings in this evolving market.
More salary data for Worcester, MA:
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 $132,930 for pharmacistsin the Worcester 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