Pharmacist Salary in Owatonna, MN: $158,716 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Owatonna, MN earns a median $158,716/year (≈ $76.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Owatonna's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $161,133 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Owatonna, Minnesota, the projected pharmacist salary in 2026 is $158,716, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $143,489, which translates to a 10.61% higher income for local professionals. The salary range spans from $110,698 at the 10th percentile to $185,889 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential within this role based on experience, certification, and practice setting. These figures are informed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and adjusted for regional cost considerations, emphasizing the value of specialization in this market. The ongoing structural divide between hospital clinical specialists, retail Pharmacy-in-Charge (PIC) positions, and staff roles influences pay scales, thereby shaping the employment landscape for pharmacists in Owatonna.
About the Owatonna Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $110,698 | $53.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $143,363 | $68.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,716 | $76.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,983 | $85.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,889 | $89.37 |
Median Salary Position
10.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owatonna
In Owatonna, MN, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,191 (2026 est.). At $158,716, the local median is 10.61% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owatonna: You'd be above the median
How Owatonna Pharmacist Pay Compares
Owatonna median: $158,716/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owatonna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $159,835 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +10.61% more |
Pharmacists in Owatonna, MN earn a median of $158,716 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.61% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $159,835.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owatonna has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Owatonna, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $158,716 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $161,133 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% 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
$141,683
2025 BLS Actual
$155,864
2026 Current Est.
$158,716
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Owatonna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $141,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,369 | Actual |
| 2021 | $142,214 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,838 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,466 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,937 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,864 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,716 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $161,621 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owatonna metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $141,683 (2019) to $155,864 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $161,621 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,938 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owatonna 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) | $110,698 – $143,363 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $143,363 – $158,716 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,716 – $177,983 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,983 – $185,889 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Owatonna
With just six pharmacists employed in the area, Owatonna's job market shows modest overall availability but potential for those entering highly specialized roles. The local cost of living index stands at 98.5, suggesting a favorable purchasing power relative to national averages, which can enhance overall financial well-being for pharmacy professionals. Among employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies often provide the highest salaries, followed by specialty pharmacies and retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Variability in compensation is driven by factors such as board certification stipends, residency training, and shift differentials. To maximize earnings in this specific market, prospective pharmacists should consider pursuing additional certifications through organizations like BPS, ASHP, and APhA, while also preparing for potential retail chain consolidations that may influence job stability and demand in the near future.
More salary data for Owatonna, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Owatonna, MN in 2026?
Is Owatonna, MN a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Owatonna?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Owatonna?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Owatonna?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $155,864 for pharmacistsin the Owatonna 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 Owatonna 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