Pharmacist Salary in Onalaska, WI: $164,100 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Onalaska, WI earns a median $164,100/year (≈ $78.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $175,696 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.4% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The post-2023 landscape for retail pharmacy in Onalaska, WI, has shifted notably due to industry consolidation, influencing local pharmacist pay. In 2026, the median annual salary for pharmacists is projected to be $164,100, which surpasses the national median of $143,489 by 14.36%. Salaries range from $119,693 at the 10th percentile to $183,560 at the 90th percentile, showing a competitive market despite fewer retail opportunities. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost effectiveness, reflect the current realities facing pharmacists as they navigate the evolving job landscape and adapt to changes within their roles. Given this context, the need for pharmacists skilled in diverse areas, such as ambulatory care, has become increasingly relevant.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $119,693 | $57.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $158,697 | $76.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,100 | $78.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,999 | $86.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,560 | $88.25 |
Median Salary Position
14.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,867 (2026 est.). At $164,100, the local median is 14.36% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be above the median
How Onalaska Pharmacist Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $164,100/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,307 | +11.40% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +14.36% more |
Pharmacists in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $164,100 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.36% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 11.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $147,307.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $164,100 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $175,696 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$146,489
2025 BLS Actual
$161,151
2026 Current Est.
$164,100
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $146,489 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,199 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,038 | Actual |
| 2022 | $151,819 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,444 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,151 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,100 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $167,103 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $146,489 (2019) to $161,151 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $167,103 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,614 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $119,693 – $158,697 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $158,697 – $164,100 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,100 – $178,999 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,999 – $183,560 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Onalaska
With only four pharmacists employed in Onalaska, the job market remains relatively small, but there is potential for growth, particularly in hospital inpatient settings and specialty pharmacies. The local cost of living index sits at 93.4, allowing pharmacists' salaries to provide a better purchasing power compared to the national average. Retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens, facing closures and layoffs, may still offer competitive pay, especially for positions requiring advanced certifications or those that involve complex medication management. Pay variances are driven by factors like board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the demand for clinical specialists. To maximize earnings in Onalaska, pursuing additional board certifications or residency training can significantly enhance one's marketability and compensation potential, especially as the industry continues to evolve post-2024.
More salary data for Onalaska, WI:
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 $161,151 for pharmacistsin the Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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