The pharmacy industry is growing rapidly, and pharmacists are in high demand. It is estimated that there will be a shortage of over 50,000 pharmacists by 2020. In Arkansas, the average salary for a pharmacist is $103,190 per year.
If you’re considering a career in pharmacy, Arkansas is a great place to start. The median annual salary for pharmacists in Arkansas is $118,350. This means that half of all pharmacists earn less than this amount and half earn more. The average salary for pharmacists in Arkansas is $114,590 per year.
While the average pharmacist salary in Arkansas is quite high compared to other states, it does vary depending on where you live. Pharmacists who work in Little Rock make an average of $119,690 per year while those who work outside of Little Rock earn an average of $92,460 per year.
Pharmacist Salary In Arkansas
If you want to become a pharmacist and work in the state of Arkansas, you should know that a pharmacist salary in Arkansas is $120,040 annually which can vary from $85,210 to $158,710 depending upon your working experience. In last five years, AR pharmacists’ salary grew over 3.52% and employment rate was at 8.51% in negetive. The top three paying cities in Arkansas are Fort Smith, Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers and Jonesboro, whereas the lowest annual salary is paid at Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway area in Arkansas. According to BLS, AR is expected to employ over 150 pharmacists every year until 2028, representing a growth of over 0.90% since 2018.
Average Salary of Pharmacist in Arkansas
As a pharmacist, you will have two options to work in the state of Arkansas. First, you can work as a part timer and earn an average wage of $57.71 per hour and second option is to work as a full time and earn an average annual income of $120,040. AR pharmacists’ salary is primarily depended upon work experience, individual education and job city.
| Type | Average Salary |
| Hourly Wage | $57.71 |
| Monthly Salary | $10,000 |
| Annual Salary | $120,040 |
Pharmacist Salary by Experience in AR
In the beginning of your career as a pharmacist in AR, you can expect to earn an income of $85,210 per annum or $40.97 per hour. In less than ten working years as a pharmacist, your annual salary may jump to $125,120 and within 20 years, you can make $141,230 annually. The 20+ years of experienced pharmacists in Arkansas earn $140,460 annually or $76.30 hourly. It is certain that your salary in AR will keep on getting consistent hikes as and when you gain experience and expertise as a pharmacist.
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Annual |
| Less than 1 year (Starting) | $40.97 | $85,210 |
| 1-4 years | $53.31 | $110,880 |
| 5-9 years | $60.15 | $125,120 |
| 10-19 years | $67.53 | $140,460 |
| 20 years or more | $76.30 | $158,710 |
Salary Growth (2016-2020)
In 2016, the average annual salary of pharmacists in AR was $116,960 which became $120,040 in 2020, adding over $4,080 in last five years, representing a growth of 3.52%. Based on the demand of the pharmacists in the state, Arkansas consistently increased the salaries of pharmacists in last four years, marking a hike of 1.44% in 2019, 1.42% in 2019, and less than 1% in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020.
| Year | Average Annual Salary | Growth |
| 2016 | $116,960 | 0.86% |
| 2017 | $117,670 | 0.61% |
| 2018 | $118,320 | 0.55% |
| 2019 | $120,020 | 1.44% |
| 2020 | $120,040 | 0.02% |
| Total | $4,080 | 3.52% |
Employment Growth (2016-2020)
Pharmacists in Arkansas were employed at a rate of 8.51% in negetive from 2015 to 2020. In 2016 when pharmacists’ employment rate was 6.99%. AR hired pharmacists with a rate of 5.50% in 2013, a whopping 12.67% in 2015, an excellent 6.99% in 2016 and a marginal 0.85% in 2017.
| Year | Employment | Growth |
| 2016 | 3,520 | 6.99% |
| 2017 | 3,550 | 0.85% |
| 2018 | 3,270 | -7.89% |
| 2019 | 3,130 | -4.28% |
| 2020 | 3,010 | -3.83% |
| Total | -280 | -8.51% |
Industry Wise Income and Employment (2021)
In Arkansas, retail pharmacies employ the largest number of 1,290 pharmacists and pay around $117,550 annually. Hospitals pay the highest annual salary of $122,770 and employ over 750 pharmacists, whereas Retail Pharmacies in AR pay the lowest annual salary of $117,550 and also employ the least number of 70 pharmacists in Outpatient Care Centers.
| Industry | Employment | Hourly Salary | Annual Salary |
| Retail Pharmacies | 1,290 | $56.52 | $117,550 |
| Hospitals | 750 | $59.02 | $122,770 |
| Grocery Stores | 240 | $57.09 | $118,760 |
| Other General Merchandise Stores | 70 | $57.25 | $119,090 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 70 | $67.68 | $140,770 |
Arkansas Metro Wise – Salary and Employment (2021)
If you are an entry level pharmacist, then you can get the best salary of over $108,790 in Fort Smith and $106,130 in Fort Smith whereas the best annual average salary of $133,810 is paid by Fort Smith and the best salary to experienced pharmacists is paid by Fort Smith, marking at $186,740. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway employs the largest number of 1,060 pharmacists and Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers employs 430 pharmacists.
| Area Name | Employment | Hourly | Annual | Starting Salary | Experienced Salary |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 1,060 | $53.10 | 110,440 | 36,440 | 151,830 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 430 | $60.79 | 126,450 | 106,750 | 159,530 |
| Fort Smith | 300 | $64.33 | 133,810 | 108,790 | 186,740 |
| Jonesboro | 170 | $60.79 | 126,450 | 100,930 | 160,510 |
| Hot Springs | 140 | $56.06 | 116,610 | 62,180 | 155,270 |
| Pine Bluff | 60 | $56.05 | 116,590 | 65,760 | 142,510 |
Pharmacist Employment Outlook in AR (2018-2028)
There are tremendous possibilities to root your career as a pharmacist in the state of Arkansas. Top healthcare companies like Walmart, Washington Regional, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and many others are going to employ pharmacists and cater to the medical needs of the citizens of Arkansas. According to BLS, there will be 3,350 pharmacists by 2028 in AR, marking an estimated growth rate at 0.90% and projecting 150 job openings every year for the aspiring pharmacists.
| 2018 Employment | 2028 Employment | Percent Change | Projected Annual Job Openings | |
| Arkansas | 3,320 | 3,350 | 0.90% | 150 |
| United States | 321,700 | 311,200 | -3.26% | 11,200 |
Pharmacist Arkansas VS Pharmacist National
Pharmacists in Arkansas earn an average annual salary of $120,040 which is $5,420 less than national average, representing a difference of 4.32%. Part time pharmacists in AR make $57.71 per hour whereas national average is at $60.32.
| Type | Arkansas Salary | US Salary | Difference | % Difference |
| Hourly Wage | $57.71 | $60.32 | -2.61 | -4.32% |
| Monthly Salary | $10,000 | $10,460 | -$460 | -4.40% |
| Annual Salary | $120,040 | $125,460 | -5,420 | -4.32% |
