Pharmacist Salary in Bismarck, ND: $146,004 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Bismarck, ND earns a median $146,004/year (≈ $70.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $160,402 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.6% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacists in Bismarck, North Dakota, earn a competitive median annual salary of $146,004 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $143,489. The salary range for pharmacists in the city shows considerable variation, with the lowest 10% earning $134,843 and the top 90% earning $169,720. This data is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS projections, reflecting a structural divide in the workforce, particularly between hospital clinical specialists and retail pharmacy roles. With 170 pharmacists employed in the area, Bismarck's job market presents distinct salary implications based on the setting of employment, as hospital positions often offer higher compensation than retail pharmacy jobs, due to factors like board certifications and specialty training demand.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $134,843 | $64.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,853 | $67.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,004 | $70.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,904 | $79.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,720 | $81.60 |
Median Salary Position
1.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,877 (2026 est.). At $146,004, the local median is 1.75% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bismarck Pharmacist Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $146,004/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $132,011 | +10.60% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +1.75% more |
Pharmacists in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $146,004 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.75% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 10.60% above the North Dakota state average of $132,011.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 91.024 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $146,004 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $160,402 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,570
2025 BLS Actual
$143,380
2026 Current Est.
$146,004
2019–2027 Growth
+22.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,004 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,676 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 17.9% from $121,570 (2019) to $143,380 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,676 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,106 (22.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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) | $134,843 – $139,853 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,853 – $146,004 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,004 – $164,904 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,904 – $169,720 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Bismarck
The cost of living index in Bismarck stands at 91.024, indicating a more affordable living environment that enhances the take-home purchasing power of local pharmacists compared to national averages. Among employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies like Accredo generally provide the highest pay, contrasting with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, which are facing significant consolidation and layoffs. The disparity in salaries is driven by various factors including board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight work, and the increasing necessity of residency training for competitive hospital roles. Pharmacists seeking to maximize their earnings in Bismarck should consider pursuing advanced board certifications or specialized training, as these credentials can significantly impact pay and job stability in the evolving pharmacy landscape.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 $143,380 for pharmacistsin the Bismarck 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