Pharmacist Salary in State College, PA: $137,481 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in State College, PA earns a median $137,481/year (≈ $66.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in State College's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $142,082 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In State College, Pennsylvania, the projected median salary for pharmacists in 2026 is $137,481, reflecting the local market conditions shaped significantly by the consolidation of retail pharmacy chains post-2023. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $143,489, indicating a competitive yet cautious landscape for pharmacists in the region. The salary range is substantial, with entry-level positions starting at $109,335 (P10) and top earners approaching $169,129 (P90). These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the local economic factors influencing compensation and the role of shifts in pharmacy operations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,335 | $52.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,125 | $61.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,481 | $66.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,863 | $72.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,129 | $81.31 |
Median Salary Position
4.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in State College
In State College, PA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,794 (2026 est.). At $137,481, the local median is 4.19% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in State College: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How State College Pharmacist Pay Compares
State College median: $137,481/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | State College Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $137,756 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -4.19% less |
Pharmacists in State College, PA earn a median of $137,481 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.19% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $137,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
State College has a cost of living 3.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
State College, PA has a cost-of-living index of 96.762 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $137,481 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,082 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.35% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,840
2025 BLS Actual
$135,010
2026 Current Est.
$137,481
2019–2027 Growth
+12.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,481 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,997 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the State College metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 8.1% from $124,840 (2019) to $135,010 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,157 (12.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the State College 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) | $109,335 – $127,125 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,125 – $137,481 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,481 – $149,863 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,863 – $169,129 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in State College
The pharmacist market in State College currently employs around 110 professionals, which contributes to a certain stability in job offerings. With a cost-of-living index of 96.762, pharmacists here enjoy relatively better purchasing power compared to many neighboring regions. In terms of employer pay scales, hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies often offer the highest salaries, especially for those with board certifications or residency training. The diversity in compensation arises from various factors, such as clinical responsibilities and the type of pharmacy setting. For pharmacists navigating this market, focusing on obtaining certifications, seeking roles in growing sectors like ambulatory care, and staying adaptable to the evolving retail landscape can enhance their earning potential significantly.
More salary data for State College, PA:
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 $135,010 for pharmacistsin the State College 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