Pharmacist Salary in Schenectady, NY: $136,198 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Schenectady, NY earns a median $136,198/year (≈ $65.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Schenectady's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $117,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Schenectady, NY, is projected to reach a median of $136,198, which marks a slight decline compared to the national average of $143,489. Local estimates reveal a salary range for pharmacists from $97,181 at the 10th percentile to $166,126 at the 90th percentile. As retail pharmacy chains consolidate, the impact on local pay has become evident, influencing both the availability of positions and the wages offered. Despite the competitive landscape, Schenectady remains a viable market for pharmacists, with opportunities continuing to evolve in various sectors like specialty and hospital pharmacies, driven by changes in healthcare delivery and treatment practices.
About the Schenectady Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,181 | $46.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,942 | $60.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,198 | $65.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,644 | $76.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,126 | $79.87 |
Median Salary Position
5.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Schenectady
In Schenectady, NY, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,945 (2026 est.). At $136,198, the local median is 5.08% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Schenectady: You'd be above the median
How Schenectady Pharmacist Pay Compares
Schenectady median: $136,198/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Schenectady Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $142,615 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -5.08% less |
Pharmacists in Schenectady, NY earn a median of $136,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.08% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.50% below the New York state average of $142,615.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Schenectady has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Schenectady, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,198 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $117,513 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,581
2025 BLS Actual
$133,750
2026 Current Est.
$136,198
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Schenectady (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,581 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,037 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,005 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,118 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,393 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,198 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Schenectady metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $121,581 (2019) to $133,750 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,109 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Schenectady 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) | $97,181 – $124,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,942 – $136,198 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,198 – $158,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,644 – $166,126 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Schenectady
Within Schenectady, the pharmacist job market showcases a total of 16 employed pharmacists, providing a glimpse into a tight-knit professional community. The cost of living index stands at 115.9, indicating that living expenses are higher than the national average, which can affect take-home pay. Among local employers, specialties like hospital inpatient pharmacies tend to offer higher salaries compared to retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens. The breadth of compensation varies significantly based on factors like board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the type of pharmacy practice. Pharmacists seeking to optimize their earnings can benefit from pursuing residencies or certifications, as these credentials command higher salaries. In the face of ongoing retail consolidation, exploring roles in ambulatory care, specialty, or mail-order pharmacies may yield better long-term pay prospects in this evolving market.
More salary data for Schenectady, NY:
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 $133,750 for pharmacistsin the Schenectady 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 Schenectady 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