Pharmacist Salary in Johnston, RI: $139,449 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Johnston, RI earns a median $139,449/year (≈ $67.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $138,755 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, pharmacists in Johnston, Rhode Island, can expect a median annual salary of $139,449, which reflects ongoing market adjustments and the unique demands of the local healthcare landscape. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning approximately $106,867 (P10) and experienced pharmacists earning up to $169,685 (P90). These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, underscore the influence of residency training and specific roles on compensation levels. Hospital and specialty positions, particularly for residency-trained professionals, often command higher wages compared to those in retail settings, highlighting the nuanced demands of pharmacy roles within the region.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($136,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,867 | $51.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,955 | $62.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,449 | $67.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,253 | $77.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,685 | $81.58 |
Median Salary Position
2.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, RI, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,818 (2026 est.). At $139,449, the local median is 2.82% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be above the median
How Johnston Pharmacist Pay Compares
Johnston median: $139,449/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $144,208 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -2.82% less |
Pharmacists in Johnston, RI earn a median of $139,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $144,208.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnston, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,449 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,755 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,484
2025 BLS Actual
$136,943
2026 Current Est.
$139,449
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,484 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,086 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,013 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,171 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,943 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,449 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $124,484 (2019) to $136,943 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,517 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $106,867 – $129,955 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,955 – $139,449 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,449 – $160,253 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,253 – $169,685 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Johnston
The job market for pharmacists in Johnston remains solid, with eight professionals currently employed in this field. The local cost of living index, at 100.5, is slightly above the national average, which can impact the take-home purchasing power of pharmacists. Retail chains like CVS and Walgreens are prominent employers, but opportunities in hospital pharmacies and specialty settings are expanding. Variances in salaries are influenced by several factors, including whether pharmacists work in clinical settings or retail, the presence of board certifications, and the potential for shift differentials in retail roles. As pharmacy chains restructure, aspiring pharmacists in Johnston should focus on obtaining residency training or additional certifications to bolster their marketability, particularly for higher-paying positions in clinical and specialty care.
More salary data for Johnston, RI:
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 $136,943 for pharmacistsin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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