Pharmacist Salary in Prior Lake, MN: $156,482 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Prior Lake, MN earns a median $156,482/year (≈ $75.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Prior Lake's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $158,865 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Prior Lake, Minnesota is projected to reach $156,482, reflecting a notable shift above the national median of $143,489. The salary range for pharmacists in this area extends from approximately $109,966 at the 10th percentile to $194,079 at the 90th percentile. These projections represent estimates based on 2025 BLS data and account for regional cost adjustments. The job market in Prior Lake appears to favor those who have pursued residency training, particularly in hospital and specialty roles, indicating a premium for advanced qualifications in the local healthcare setting.
About the Prior Lake Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,966 | $52.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $142,077 | $68.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $156,482 | $75.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,696 | $83.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,079 | $93.31 |
Median Salary Position
9.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prior Lake
In Prior Lake, MN, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,113 (2026 est.). At $156,482, the local median is 9.06% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Prior Lake: You'd be above the median
How Prior Lake Pharmacist Pay Compares
Prior Lake median: $156,482/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prior Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $159,839 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +9.06% more |
Pharmacists in Prior Lake, MN earn a median of $156,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.06% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.10% below the Minnesota state average of $159,839.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prior Lake 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.
Prior Lake, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $156,482 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $158,865 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,689
2025 BLS Actual
$153,670
2026 Current Est.
$156,482
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Prior Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,689 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,365 | Actual |
| 2021 | $140,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,771 | Actual |
| 2023 | $148,348 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,039 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,482 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,346 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prior Lake metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $139,689 (2019) to $153,670 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,346 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,657 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prior Lake 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) | $109,966 – $142,077 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $142,077 – $156,482 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $156,482 – $172,696 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,696 – $194,079 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Prior Lake
Understanding pharmacist pay in Prior Lake MN involves considering not just the figures but the local job market dynamics. Currently, only seven pharmacists are employed in this community, suggesting a competitive environment. The relatively low cost of living index at 98.5 provides pharmacists with enhanced purchasing power despite their salaries, making it more feasible to live comfortably on their earnings. Major employers that tend to offer higher pay include inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, which can afford to compensate more for board certifications and clinical experience. Factors driving the differences in compensation encompass work setting, with clinical hospital pharmacists typically earning more than those in retail positions. With the ongoing consolidation in retail chains, positions may become increasingly limited, pushing aspiring pharmacists toward specialties or clinical roles. Maximizing salary potential can involve pursuing board certifications, seeking roles in more lucrative healthcare settings, and considering shifts in demand as the pharmacy profession evolves.
More salary data for Prior Lake, MN:
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 $153,670 for pharmacistsin the Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake 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