Pharmacist Salary in Durham, NC
Pharmacists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $141,360 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $102,754 take-home, or $8,563 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$22,660
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,764
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,050
- North Carolina income tax$5,132
- Take-home pay$102,754
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.99% state
Pharmacist pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,870 | $49.46 | $77,603 | $6,467 |
| 25th percentile | $133,500 | $64.18 | $97,695 | $8,141 |
| Median (50th) | $141,360 | $67.96 | $102,754 | $8,563 |
| 75th percentile | $164,900 | $79.28 | $117,904 | $9,825 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,740 | $79.68 | $118,445 | $9,870 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $141,360 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacist's $102,754 take-home pay has the buying power of $105,311 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Durham, NC has 1.6× the national concentration of pharmacist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for pharmacists, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #67 of 120 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester, MN | $164,250 | $113,470 | $124,938 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls, SD | $148,330 | $112,650 | $124,295 |
| 3 | McAllen, TX | $137,700 | $105,384 | $122,689 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $150,500 | $114,133 | $120,500 |
| 5 | Shreveport, LA | $137,970 | $101,816 | $120,114 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $199,040 | $131,343 | $118,945 |
| 7 | Spartanburg, SC | $153,610 | $108,199 | $118,833 |
| 8 | Fargo, ND | $142,040 | $106,840 | $117,573 |
| 67 | Durham, NC | $141,360 | $102,754 | $105,311 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 120 metros →
Pharmacist salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Wilmington, NC — $151,790
- Charlotte, NC — $150,580
- Greensboro, NC — $138,180
- Winston, NC — $135,710
- Asheville, NC — $136,460
- Raleigh, NC — $133,120
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Durham, NC?
The median pharmacist salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $141,360 a year, or about $67.96 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $133,500 and $164,900.
What is a pharmacist’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $141,360 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $102,754 a year ($8,563 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,132 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $140,910. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $105,311 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #67 of 120 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 17% of a median pharmacist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Physician Assistant — $132,670
- Nurse Practitioner — $132,300
- Physical Therapist — $100,240
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,430
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $66,950
- Medical Records Specialist — $57,290
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $54,610
- Pharmacy Technician — $47,350