Pharmacist Salary in Apex, NC: $140,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Apex, NC earns a median $140,633/year (≈ $67.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $150,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Apex, North Carolina, pharmacists can expect a median annual salary of $140,633 in 2026, reflecting the nuances of the evolving healthcare landscape. This figure represents a salary range from $97,790 at the 10th percentile to $168,341 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the disparity in compensation that stems from factors such as experience and specialization. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional pricing disparities. Notably, the division in pharmacist roles, particularly between hospital clinical specialists, retail pharmacy managers, and staff pharmacists, contributes significantly to the overall salary structure, indicating that more specialized positions typically draw higher compensation.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,790 | $47.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,454 | $63.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,633 | $67.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,815 | $76.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,341 | $80.93 |
Median Salary Position
1.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,551 (2026 est.). At $140,633, the local median is 1.99% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be above the median
How Apex Pharmacist Pay Compares
Apex median: $140,633/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $139,656 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -1.99% less |
Pharmacists in Apex, NC earn a median of $140,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.99% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $139,656.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $140,633 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,541
2025 BLS Actual
$138,106
2026 Current Est.
$140,633
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,541 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,149 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,012 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,108 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,323 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,501 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,106 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,207 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $125,541 (2019) to $138,106 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,207 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,666 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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) | $97,790 – $132,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,454 – $140,633 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,633 – $158,815 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,815 – $168,341 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Apex
On the ground in Apex, the local job market employs around 16 pharmacists, indicating a relatively small yet focused professional community. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, the purchasing power for pharmacists here is slightly better than the national average, making these salaries more attractive in context. Employers such as inpatient hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, including those like Accredo and CVS Specialty, tend to offer higher wages than traditional retail chains like Walgreens and CVS, especially for roles requiring additional certifications or residency training. The variability in pay can often be traced back to factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight shifts, and the ongoing effects of retail chain consolidations. For pharmacists looking to maximize their earnings in Apex, pursuing advanced certifications and considering shifts in employment strategies—as the market shifts toward an emphasis on specialized services—can provide an edge in this competitive field.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
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 $138,106 for pharmacistsin the Apex 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 Apex 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