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2026 Salary Data — Virginia Beach, VA
Updated April 28, 2026

Pharmacist Salary in Virginia Beach: $135K Median

Pharmacists in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $103K and $162K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $137,480 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Pharmacist salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $134,730 per year — -2% below the US national median of $137,480. Salaries range from $102,900 (entry, 25th percentile) to $161,700 (90th percentile). Pharmacists in Virginia Beach earned approximately $20,414 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$134,730
+560.0% YoY · $11,228/mo
Entry
$107,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$151,900
5+ years
Top 10%
$161,700
Senior/lead
Pharmacist Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$135K
Charlotte
$140K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$140K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$135K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

Free ATS scan · Virginia Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Pharmacists in Virginia Beach

Pharmacists dispense medications, counsel patients, and ensure safe medication use. Roles span retail, hospital, clinical, and industry.

Core Responsibilities

  • Verify prescriptions
  • Patient counseling
  • Medication therapy management
  • Clinical pharmacy services
  • Drug interaction monitoring

Education & Certifications

Typical path: PharmD (6-year doctorate)

In-demand certifications

RPh (Registered Pharmacist)BCPSImmunization certifiedMTM certified

Virginia Beach Job Market

Military and tourism hub with strong defense industry.

Population
459K
Cost of Living
100
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Virginia Beach

Military/NavalTourismDefenseHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Pharmacists

Major employers active in Virginia Beach or hiring remotely from this metro.

CVS Health
Walgreens
Walmart
Kroger
Hospital systems
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Pharmacist listings.

Clinical pharmacySpecialty drugsMTMTelepharmacyPharmGenomics

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PharmDprescription verificationpatient counselingclinical pharmacymedication therapy managementEpic
Career Outlook
+3% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Pharmacist employment relatively stable. Clinical pharmacist roles growing fastest as retail consolidates.

Pharmacist Salary Breakdown — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$102,900$134,730$161,700
Monthly$8,575$11,228$13,475
Weekly$1,979$2,591$3,110
Hourly$49$65$78

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($137,480) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Pharmacist Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$96,008.455
Per month$8,001
Biweekly paycheck$3,693
Effective tax rate28.7%

Tax Breakdown on $134,730

Gross salary$134,730
Federal income tax−$21,678.2
Virginia state tax−$6,736.5
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,306.845
Take-home (net)$96,008.455

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Pharmacist Salary by Experience — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for Pharmacists in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$99,176
2–3 yr$107,800
4–6 yr$129,850
7–10 yr$151,900
11–15 yr$179,242
15+ yr$156,800

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Virginia Beach's 0.98× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,414
2026 median:$134,730
Change:+$114,316

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Clinical pharmacy and Specialty drugs.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$134,730
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Pharmacist Salary in Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $122,482 (offers below this are below market for Virginia Beach).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $152K–$162K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific Clinical pharmacy/Specialty drugs expertise.

Pharmacist Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average Pharmacist salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average Pharmacist salary in Virginia Beach is $134,730 per year as of April 2026 — $11,228/month, $2,591/week, or about $65/hour. Salaries range from $102,900 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $161,700 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $134,730 a good Pharmacist salary in Virginia Beach?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index is 100 (vs 100 nationally), giving $134,730 a real purchasing power of approximately $134,730 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $134,730 in Virginia Beach?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Virginia Beach specifically (median home price $360,000), a $134,730 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $134,730 enough for a single person in Virginia Beach?
A single adult in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$45,000 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $134,730 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $134,730 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $134,730 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $134,730 each ($269,460 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $134,730 enough for a family of 4 in Virginia Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$110,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $134,730 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Pharmacist income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Virginia Beach typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Pharmacist in Virginia Beach?
On a $134,730 Pharmacist salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $96,008.455 per year ($8,001/month, $3,693 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $21,678.2, state $6,736.5, FICA $10,306.845. Effective tax rate: 28.7%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Pharmacists in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
Pharmacists in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($137,480 nationally vs $134,730 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $134,730 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Pharmacist earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level Pharmacists in Virginia Beach typically start at around $107,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Pharmacists earn $151,900 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $161,700+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Pharmacist salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Pharmacist salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $20,414 in 2025 to $134,730 in 2026 (+$114,316). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Clinical pharmacy and Specialty drugs demand.
What's the job outlook for Pharmacists in Virginia Beach?
Pharmacist employment relatively stable. Clinical pharmacist roles growing fastest as retail consolidates. Virginia Beach's top industries include Military/Naval, Tourism, Defense, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.8% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Pharmacists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Pharmacists are: Clinical pharmacy, Specialty drugs, MTM, Telepharmacy, PharmGenomics. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Virginia Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Pharmacists in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring Pharmacists in or near Virginia Beach include: CVS Health, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Hospital systems, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Pharmacist salary in Virginia Beach?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Pharmacist salary in Virginia Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Clinical pharmacy, Specialty drugs, MTM) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., RPh (Registered Pharmacist) or BCPS). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Pharmacist in Virginia Beach?
PharmD (6-year doctorate) is the typical path. However, Virginia Beach's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Pharmacist salary figures for Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($137,480) by Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.98× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Virginia Beach

Registered Nurse →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Physician →Nurse Practitioner →Dentist →

Pharmacist Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$137KSan Antonio, TX$128KFort Worth, TX$140KColumbus, OH$133KCharlotte, NC$140KIndianapolis, IN$128KDetroit, MI$128KNashville, TN$137K

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