2026 Salary — Virginia
Updated April 29, 2026
Pharmacist Salary in Virginia: $146K Median
Pharmacists in Virginia earn between $111K and $175K per year.
That's +6% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Pharmacist salary in Virginia is $145,729 per year — +6% above the US national median of $137,480. Salaries range from $111,300 (entry, 25th percentile) to $174,900 (90th percentile). Virginia's cost-of-living index is 104. State income tax applies.
Median
$145,729
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$116,600
Experienced
$164,300
Top 10%
$174,900
About Pharmacists in Virginia
Pharmacists dispense medications, counsel patients, and ensure safe medication use. Roles span retail, hospital, clinical, and industry.
Hot 2026 Skills
Clinical pharmacySpecialty drugsMTMTelepharmacyPharmGenomics
ATS Keywords
PharmDprescription verificationpatient counselingclinical pharmacymedication therapy managementEpic
Pharmacist Salary in Virginia Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $134,730 |
How to Negotiate Your Pharmacist Salary in Virginia
Walk-away anchor: $132,481.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Pharmacist Salary FAQ — Virginia
What is the average Pharmacist salary in Virginia?
The average Pharmacist salary in Virginia is $145,729 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $111,300 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $174,900 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Pharmacist pay in Virginia compare to the US average?
Pharmacists in Virginia earn approximately 6% more than the US national median ($137,480 nationally vs $145,729 in Virginia). Virginia's cost-of-living index of 104 is close to the national average.
Did Pharmacist salaries in Virginia increase in 2026?
Yes — Pharmacist salaries in Virginia grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $22,080 in 2025 to $145,729 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Clinical pharmacy and Specialty drugs demand.
Which Virginia cities pay Pharmacists the most?
Top-paying Virginia metros for Pharmacists: Virginia Beach ($135K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Pharmacists in Virginia?
Pharmacist employment relatively stable. Clinical pharmacist roles growing fastest as retail consolidates. Virginia's top industries include Government/Defense, Tech (Data Centers), Shipbuilding, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.3% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Virginia have state income tax?
Yes, Virginia has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $145,729, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Pharmacists in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Clinical pharmacy, Specialty drugs, MTM, Telepharmacy, PharmGenomics. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Virginia employers.
How can I increase my Pharmacist salary in Virginia?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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%). Walk-away anchor for Virginia: $132,481.
Methodology
Virginia Pharmacist salary is the BLS national median ($137,480) adjusted by Virginia's state multiplier (1.06×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Pharmacist Salary in Other States
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