Pharmacist Salary in Chester, PA: $133,081 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Chester, PA earns a median $133,081/year (≈ $63.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Chester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $136,633 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Chester, Pennsylvania, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $133,081, reflecting a notable contrast to the national median of $143,489. The salary range for this role extends from $101,828 at the 10th percentile to $153,881 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential based on experience and job responsibilities. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for Chester's regional cost of living. As a city with a small number of employed pharmacists, understanding the nuances of hospital versus retail positions can greatly influence compensation; hospital roles, especially for those with residency training, often command higher wages compared to retail positions.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,828 | $48.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,862 | $61.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,081 | $63.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,625 | $70.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,881 | $73.98 |
Median Salary Position
7.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chester
In Chester, PA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,053 (2026 est.). At $133,081, the local median is 7.25% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chester: You'd be above the median
How Chester Pharmacist Pay Compares
Chester median: $133,081/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $137,765 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -7.25% less |
Pharmacists in Chester, PA earn a median of $133,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.25% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $137,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chester has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chester, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $133,081 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,633 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,799
2025 BLS Actual
$130,689
2026 Current Est.
$133,081
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,799 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,374 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,244 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,121 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,163 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,355 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,689 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,081 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,516 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chester metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $118,799 (2019) to $130,689 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,516 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,717 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chester 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) | $101,828 – $126,862 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,862 – $133,081 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,081 – $147,625 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,625 – $153,881 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Chester
The local job market sees only five pharmacists currently employed in Chester, which creates a competitive environment for roles. The cost of living index stands at 97.4, slightly below the national average, suggesting that while take-home pay may be lower than expected compared to other regions, the affordability of living in Chester can still provide a decent quality of life. Employers like CVS, Walgreens, and local hospitals pay competitive salaries, especially for pharmacists in specialty or hospital settings. The variation in pay often stems from additional factors such as board certifications, shift differentials for overnight retail work, and a possible premium for PGY-1 residency-trained pharmacists. As retail pharmacy chain consolidations continue post-2024, pharmacists in Chester may find opportunities in expanding sectors like specialty pharmacies and ambulatory care clinics, which could also enhance their earning potential in this market.
More salary data for Chester, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Chester, PA in 2026?
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Can pharmacists make $100K in Chester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Chester?
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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 $130,689 for pharmacistsin the Chester 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 Chester 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