Healthcare Columbia, MO Pop. 126,254

Pharmacist Salary in Columbia, Missouri

The median pharmacist salary in Columbia, MO is $116,820 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 0.0% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$116,820
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-15,930
Cost of Living
88%

Pharmacist Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median pharmacist salary of $116,820, which is $0 above the Missouri state average of $116,820. Compared to the national median of $132,750, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbia's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $116,820 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $132,750 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbia an attractive option for pharmacists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for pharmacists in Columbia spans from $84,656 at the 10th percentile to $145,904 at the 90th percentile — a $61,248 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $88,000, while senior pharmacists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $139,040. With a population of 126,254, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Pharmacist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level pharmacist earns around $88,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $139,040 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$88,000
$-12,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$114,400
$-15,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$139,040
$-18,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MO

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $84,656
25th Percentile $102,960
Median (50th) $116,820
75th Percentile $133,936
90th Percentile $145,904

Pharmacist Salary in Other Missouri Cities

Kansas City, MO
$122,130
Pop. 508,090
Saint Louis, MO
$119,475
Pop. 301,578
Independence, MO
$112,838
Pop. 123,011
Springfield, MO
$108,855
Pop. 169,176

How to Become a Pharmacist in Columbia

Education

Most pharmacist positions require a doctoral degree. Columbia and the surrounding Missouri area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PharmacologyPatient CounselingDrug InteractionsCompoundingClinical ReviewPharmacy Software

Job Outlook

Nationally, pharmacist employment is projected to grow 2% over the next decade (slower than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Pharmacist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open pharmacist positions in Columbia, MO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Pharmacist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Pharmacist make in Columbia, MO? ▼
The median pharmacist salary in Columbia, Missouri is $116,820 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $132,750. Salaries range from $84,656 (10th percentile) to $145,904 (90th percentile).
How much does a Pharmacist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $116,820, a pharmacist in Columbia earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Missouri state average for pharmacist pay? ▼
Columbia's median pharmacist salary of $116,820 is 0.0% above the Missouri state average of $116,820. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MO? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a pharmacist salary of $116,820 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a pharmacist in Columbia? ▼
Most pharmacist positions in Columbia require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Pharmacology, Patient Counseling, Drug Interactions, Compounding. The job market is projected to grow 2% nationally over the next decade.