Pharmacist salary in North Carolina
Pharmacists in North Carolina earn a median of $138,860 a year ($66.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $101,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,820 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $140,910. North Carolina ranks 30th of 51 states for pharmacists pay. There are 2.3 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $137,990, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $101,670 | $48.88 |
| 25th percentile | $128,660 | $61.86 |
| Median | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| 75th percentile | $159,010 | $76.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,820 | $81.64 |
| Average (mean) | $137,990 | $66.34 |
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 | $11,571.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,785.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,340.77 |
| Weekly | $2,670.38 |
| Hourly | $66.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $151,790 | 480 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $150,580 | 2,530 |
| Greenville, NC | $143,480 | 270 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $141,360 | 1,150 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $140,220 | 400 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $139,210 | 100 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $138,180 | 710 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $137,180 | 330 |
| Asheville, NC | $136,460 | 520 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $136,280 | 1,470 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $135,710 | 1,010 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $133,320 | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $133,120 | 1,730 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $132,850 | 80 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $132,170 | 90 |
| Burlington, NC | $130,730 | 120 |
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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $289,780 | $139.32 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for pharmacists in North Carolina is $138,860 a year, or $66.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $101,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of pharmacists in North Carolina earn at least $169,820 a year. The top 25% earn $159,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $101,670 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $128,660 or less.
How many pharmacists work in North Carolina?
About 11,430 pharmacists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.