Pharmacist Salary in Lake Ridge, VA: $132,979 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Lake Ridge, VA earns a median $132,979/year (≈ $63.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Lake Ridge's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $128,856 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacists in Lake Ridge, Virginia, can expect a median salary of $132,979 in 2026, a figure that reflects the impacts of recent retail chain consolidation in the pharmacy sector. This local compensation sits below the national median of $143,489, highlighting a slight pay gap attributed to market adjustments following closures and layoffs by major retailers like CVS and Walgreens. The salary range for pharmacists in the region spans from $95,924 at the 10th percentile to $159,480 at the 90th percentile, indicating variability based on experience and workplace setting. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, illustrate the evolving dynamics of pharmacist compensation in Lake Ridge amidst broader shifts in the healthcare landscape.
About the Lake Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,924 | $46.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,462 | $58.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,979 | $63.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,397 | $72.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,480 | $76.68 |
Median Salary Position
7.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Ridge
In Lake Ridge, VA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,556 (2026 est.). At $132,979, the local median is 7.32% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Ridge: You'd be above the median
How Lake Ridge Pharmacist Pay Compares
Lake Ridge median: $132,979/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $138,809 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -7.32% less |
Pharmacists in Lake Ridge, VA earn a median of $132,979 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.32% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.20% below the Virginia state average of $138,809.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Ridge has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Ridge, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,979 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,856 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,708
2025 BLS Actual
$130,589
2026 Current Est.
$132,979
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Lake Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,708 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,283 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,153 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,027 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,066 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,536 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,589 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,979 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,412 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Ridge metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $118,708 (2019) to $130,589 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,412 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,704 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Ridge 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) | $95,924 – $122,462 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,462 – $132,979 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,979 – $151,397 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,397 – $159,480 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Lake Ridge
Despite a relatively stable pharmacist employment level with only 10 practitioners in the area, the cost of living index currently stands at 103.2, suggesting that living expenses are somewhat higher than the national average. As a result, take-home pay might not stretch as far in Lake Ridge compared to other regions. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include specialty pharmacies like Accredo, and hospital inpatient pharmacies, where positions may require board certifications or residency training, warranting premium pay. The considerable pay range highlights factors influencing compensation, such as setting (hospital clinical specialists typically earn more than retail pharmacists), board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight work, and the impact of ongoing retail pharmacy consolidation. For those trying to maximize their pharmacist pay in Lake Ridge, pursuing specialty certifications or considering roles in high-demand settings like hospitals can provide an advantageous edge.
More salary data for Lake Ridge, 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 $130,589 for pharmacistsin the Lake Ridge 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 Lake Ridge 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