Pharmacist Salary in Wauwatosa, WI: $139,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Wauwatosa, WI earns a median $139,618/year (≈ $67.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Wauwatosa's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $149,484 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Wauwatosa, WI is projected at a median of $139,618, reflecting the ongoing adjustments in the local job market influenced by post-2023 retail chain consolidations. With a salary range that spans from $102,482 at the 10th percentile to $169,523 at the 90th percentile, these figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. When comparing local salaries to the national median of $143,489, Wauwatosa's pharmacist pay lags behind by approximately 2.70%. The city's pharmacy environment is notably shaped by the transition in retail and patient care roles, compelling pharmacists to adapt their skills in an evolving landscape that favors hospital and specialty settings.
About the Wauwatosa Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,482 | $49.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,882 | $62.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,618 | $67.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,222 | $77.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,523 | $81.50 |
Median Salary Position
2.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wauwatosa
In Wauwatosa, WI, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,041 (2026 est.). At $139,618, the local median is 2.7% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wauwatosa: You'd be above the median
How Wauwatosa Pharmacist Pay Compares
Wauwatosa median: $139,618/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wauwatosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $147,276 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -2.70% less |
Pharmacists in Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $139,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $147,276.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wauwatosa 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.
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $139,618 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,484 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,635
2025 BLS Actual
$137,109
2026 Current Est.
$139,618
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,635 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,238 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,102 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,169 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,361 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,877 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,109 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,173 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wauwatosa metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $124,635 (2019) to $137,109 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,173 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,538 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wauwatosa 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) | $102,482 – $129,882 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,882 – $139,618 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,618 – $160,222 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,222 – $169,523 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Wauwatosa
Looking further into the local job market, there are currently 10 pharmacists employed in the area, which provides a tight-knit professional community. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, the purchasing power for pharmacists in Wauwatosa remains favorable compared to national averages, but it still emphasizes the importance of maximizing income. Retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens tend to offer competitive salaries, although those in hospital settings or specialty pharmacies may earn higher wages due to the complexity of their roles. Differential pay is driven by factors such as board certification bonuses, shift differentials in retail positions, and the impact of recent layoffs in retail operations. For pharmacists in Wauwatosa looking to enhance their earnings, pursuing additional credentials like BPS certifications or completing a PGY-1 residency can significantly boost long-term salary prospects.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, 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 $137,109 for pharmacistsin the Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa 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