Pharmacist Salary in Fargo, ND: $144,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Fargo, ND earns a median $144,639/year (≈ $69.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $159,170 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the financial landscape for pharmacists reflects significant market shifts after the retail chain consolidation that transformed the industry. The projected median annual salary in 2026 is $144,639, which places it just slightly above the national median of $143,489, highlighting competitive local pay. Those in the profession can expect a salary range spanning from $37,799 at the 10th percentile to $171,013 at the 90th percentile, as indicated by data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys. This promising compensation indicates that Fargo's pharmacist job market continues to thrive amid the wider challenges in retail pharmacy, suggesting valuable opportunities for both new graduates and those seeking to leverage their expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,799 | $18.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,013 | $61.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,639 | $69.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,093 | $75.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,013 | $82.22 |
Median Salary Position
0.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,214 (2026 est.). At $144,639, the local median is 0.8% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Fargo Pharmacist Pay Compares
Fargo median: $144,639/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $131,970 | +9.60% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +0.80% more |
Pharmacists in Fargo, ND earn a median of $144,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.80% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 9.60% above the North Dakota state average of $131,970.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $144,639 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $159,170 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,790
2025 BLS Actual
$142,040
2026 Current Est.
$144,639
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,286 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 31.8% from $107,790 (2019) to $142,040 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,286 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,496 (36.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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) | $37,799 – $127,013 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,013 – $144,639 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,639 – $157,093 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,093 – $171,013 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Fargo
With approximately 520 pharmacists currently employed in Fargo, the job market shows resilience despite broader retail pharmacy contractions. The cost of living index in Fargo is relatively low at 90.871, meaning pharmacists can enjoy greater purchasing power compared to many urban areas. Those looking for higher-paying positions will find opportunities with hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, such as Accredo and CVS Specialty, which typically offer more lucrative salaries than retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. The pay gap in roles is often driven by factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight retail work, and the expanding demand for pharmacists in clinical settings. To maximize earnings in Fargo, pharmacists should consider pursuing board certification through BPS and obtaining residency training, which can significantly enhance their career prospects in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Fargo, 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 $142,040 for pharmacistsin the Fargo 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