Pharmacist Salary in Fairfax, VA: $132,488 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Fairfax, VA earns a median $132,488/year (≈ $63.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Fairfax's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $128,380 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacist salaries in Fairfax, Virginia are projected to reach a median annual income of $132,488, slightly below the national median of $143,489. The salary range for pharmacists in this region spans from $97,141 at the tenth percentile to $153,300 at the ninetieth percentile, indicating varying levels of compensation based on experience, job role, and specific healthcare settings. This data is derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, which is reflected in the slightly elevated cost of living index of 103.2 for Fairfax. The local market places a premium on pharmacists with residency training, particularly in hospital and specialty roles, as opposed to traditional retail positions.
About the Fairfax Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,141 | $46.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,286 | $59.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,488 | $63.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,673 | $71.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,300 | $73.70 |
Median Salary Position
7.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfax
In Fairfax, VA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,159 (2026 est.). At $132,488, the local median is 7.67% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfax: You'd be above the median
How Fairfax Pharmacist Pay Compares
Fairfax median: $132,488/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfax Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $138,731 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -7.67% less |
Pharmacists in Fairfax, VA earn a median of $132,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.67% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.50% below the Virginia state average of $138,731.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfax has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairfax, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,488 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,380 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,270
2025 BLS Actual
$130,107
2026 Current Est.
$132,488
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Fairfax (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,842 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,713 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,573 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,601 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,053 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,107 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,488 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,912 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfax metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $118,270 (2019) to $130,107 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,912 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,642 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfax 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) | $97,141 – $123,286 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,286 – $132,488 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,488 – $147,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,673 – $153,300 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Fairfax
Currently, there are approximately four pharmacists employed in Fairfax, showing a stable but small local job market for this profession. The cost of living in the area, slightly above the national average, affects take-home pay, especially in a mixed job market. While retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens remain key employers, hospitals and specialty pharmacies are generally among the highest-paying options, often seeking candidates with PGY-1 residency training. The differences in pharmacist pay in Fairfax VA can also be driven by factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the ongoing consolidation in retail pharmacy which has seen layoffs. For pharmacists looking to enhance their earning potential, focusing on specialty or hospital roles, pursuing additional certifications through organizations like BPS, and being flexible with work shifts can be effective strategies to maximize salary in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Fairfax, VA:
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 $130,107 for pharmacistsin the Fairfax 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 Fairfax 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