Pharmacist Salary in Pierre, SD: $125,102 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Pierre, SD earns a median $125,102/year (≈ $60.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Pierre's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $134,808 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For pharmacists in Pierre, South Dakota, the 2026 projected median annual salary stands at $125,102, reflecting a competitive position, albeit slightly lower than the national median of $143,489. The salary spectrum for this profession in the area ranges from $88,829 at the 10th percentile to $148,423 at the 90th percentile, illustrating how variations in roles, experience, and education can significantly impact overall earnings. The figures presented here are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, accompanied by adjustments for regional price differences. Given the area's small workforce of four pharmacists, opportunities may be focused on specific sectors, leading to a distinct salary structure influenced by local demand and competition.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,829 | $42.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121,652 | $58.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,102 | $60.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,712 | $68.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,423 | $71.36 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
In Pierre, SD, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,594 (2026 est.). At $125,102, the local median is 12.81% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pierre: You'd be above the median
How Pierre Pharmacist Pay Compares
Pierre median: $125,102/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pierre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $133,087 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -12.81% less |
Pharmacists in Pierre, SD earn a median of $125,102 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $133,087.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pierre has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pierre, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $125,102 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,808 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$111,677
2025 BLS Actual
$122,854
2026 Current Est.
$125,102
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,677 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,217 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,095 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,599 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,599 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,854 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,102 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pierre metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $111,677 (2019) to $122,854 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,715 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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) | $88,829 – $121,652 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $121,652 – $125,102 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,102 – $141,712 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,712 – $148,423 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Pierre
In this local market, the cost of living index stands at 92.8, suggesting a lower-than-average expense for residents, which can enhance overall purchasing power for pharmacists in Pierre. Although only a handful of employers exist in the area, positions at hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies typically offer the highest compensation, often rewarding residency-trained pharmacists with increased salaries compared to their retail counterparts. Additionally, the recent industry shifts, including retail chain consolidations affecting providers like CVS and Walgreens, are reshaping job availability and pay scales. Pharmacists aiming to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing relevant board certifications, exploring clinical roles, and gaining hospital experience to benefit from higher pay tiers, particularly those that value advanced training such as PGY-1 residencies recognized by ASHP.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Pierre, SD in 2026?
Is Pierre, SD a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Pierre?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Pierre?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Pierre?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
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 $122,854 for pharmacistsin the Pierre 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 Pierre 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