Pharmacist salary in Columbia, MO
Pharmacists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $139,430 a year ($67.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $115,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,310 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $140,910. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $137,610. There are 2.6 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $138,450, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $115,650 | $55.60 |
| 25th percentile | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Median | $139,430 | $67.03 |
| 75th percentile | $154,140 | $74.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,310 | $83.32 |
| Average (mean) | $138,450 | $66.56 |
Half of pharmacists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,619.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,809.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,362.69 |
| Weekly | $2,681.35 |
| Hourly | $67.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $141,250 | 100 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $139,460 | 2,640 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $138,530 | 2,910 |
| Springfield, MO | $134,990 | 560 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $131,720 | 120 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $130,190 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $127,710 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 |
| Oregon | $165,960 |
| California | $164,610 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 |
| Washington | $160,610 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 |
| Colorado | $156,030 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 |
| Delaware | $152,880 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 |
See Pharmacist pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,930 | $61.99 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $312,080 | $150.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| Veterinarian | $99,620 | $47.89 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $310,170 | $149.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,640 | $32.04 |
| Dentists, General | $207,450 | $99.74 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for pharmacists in the Columbia, MO metro area is $139,430 a year, or $67.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $115,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of pharmacists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $173,310 a year. The top 25% earn $154,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $115,650 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $132,540 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Columbia, MO?
About 280 pharmacists are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.