Pharmacist Salary in Charlotte, NC
Pharmacists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $150,580 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $108,688 take-home, or $9,057 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacist salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$24,873
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,336
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,183
- North Carolina income tax$5,499
- Take-home pay$108,688
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Pharmacist pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $91,770 | $44.12 | $70,237 | $5,853 |
| 25th percentile | $131,800 | $63.37 | $96,601 | $8,050 |
| Median (50th) | $150,580 | $72.39 | $108,688 | $9,057 |
| 75th percentile | $167,110 | $80.34 | $119,327 | $9,944 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,930 | $83.62 | $123,716 | $10,310 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $150,580 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacist's $108,688 take-home pay has the buying power of $111,649 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pharmacist jobs are about as common in Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for pharmacists, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #1 of 29 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte, NC | $150,580 | $108,688 | $111,649 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $140,690 | $104,341 | $111,092 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $162,870 | $122,588 | $110,307 |
| 4 | Nashville, TN | $137,590 | $105,309 | $109,312 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $139,460 | $100,970 | $109,106 |
| 6 | Cincinnati, OH | $140,200 | $104,020 | $109,069 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $140,470 | $107,277 | $108,768 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $157,890 | $112,945 | $106,772 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
About the job: pharmacists
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.2% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Charlotte, NC?
The median pharmacist salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $150,580 a year, or about $72.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $131,800 and $167,110.
What is a pharmacist’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $150,580 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $108,688 a year ($9,057 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,499 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $140,910. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $111,649 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #1 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median pharmacist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Registered Nurse — $90,620
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $78,950
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $65,140
- Pharmacy Technician — $46,220