Pharmacist in Bentonville, AR

The Salary Picture: Where Bentonville Stands

Alright, let’s get straight to the numbers. As a pharmacist in Bentonville, you’re looking at a median salary of $132,357/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.63/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $136,030/year, which is typical for the Midwest and South. The cost of living here is your biggest advantage; more on that later.

The job market is stable but not booming. The Bentonville metro area has 112 pharmacist jobs, and the 10-year job growth is -3%. This isn’t a red flag—it’s a reflection of a mature market. Most positions are in retail and hospital settings, with a handful in specialty and clinical roles. The negative growth suggests that while new positions aren’t exploding, turnover creates openings, especially as the area’s population continues to grow steadily.

Here’s how salary breaks down by experience level in our local market. These are estimates based on regional data and local employer pay scales.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary (Bentonville)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-3 years)	$115,000 - $125,000	Staff pharmacist in retail or hospital, managing dispensing, patient counseling, basic clinical checks.
Mid-Level (4-8 years)	$130,000 - $145,000	Lead pharmacist, clinical pharmacy specialist, or pharmacy manager. Involves more complex MTM, protocol management, and supervision.
Senior-Level (9-15 years)	$145,000 - $160,000	Clinical specialist (e.g., oncology, cardiology), lead clinical pharmacist, or pharmacy director for a smaller facility.
Expert (15+ years)	$160,000+	Pharmacy director, corporate/regional pharmacy manager, consultant, or specialized clinical pharmacy educator.

How does Bentonville stack up against other Arkansas cities? For context:

• Little Rock: Median salary is slightly higher at ~$138,000, with a larger and more diverse job market (including major academic medical centers).
• Fayetteville/Springdale: Median is similar to Bentonville, around $134,000, but with a higher cost of living due to the University of Arkansas influence.
• Fort Smith: Median is lower, around $125,000, with a lower cost of living but fewer specialty roles.
• Jonesboro: Median is ~$128,000, with a strong regional medical center but a smaller retail market.

Insider Tip: Your specialty is critical. A clinical pharmacist in an oncology unit at Northwest Medical Center will command a premium, often $15,000-$25,000 above a generalist at a Walgreens. In Bentonville, the biggest payers are often the hospital systems and the specialized clinics tied to the Walmart campus.

---

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be practical. Your $132,357 median salary sounds great, but what’s your real purchasing power? We’ll assume you’re a single filer with the standard deduction (no dependents) and that you pay for Arkansas state income tax (4.4%).

Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown for a pharmacist earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Income	$11,030	$132,357 / 12
Federal Tax (est.)	$1,650	Based on 2023 single filer brackets.
FICA (Medicare & Social Security)	$844	7.65% of gross.
AR State Tax (4.4%)	$485
Net (Take-Home) Pay	$8,051
Rent (1BR average)	$773	$773/month is the city-wide average.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet)	$250	Bentonville’s climate means seasonal variation.
Car Payment, Insurance, Gas	$600	Essential. Public transit is limited.
Groceries	$400	Moderate budget.
Health Insurance (Employer Plan)	$250	Typical employee contribution.
Retirement (401k, 5% of gross)	$552	Highly recommended.
Miscellaneous/Discretionary	$1,226	Dining out, entertainment, savings, debt.
Total Expenses	$4,101
Monthly Surplus	$3,950	$132,357 is a very comfortable salary for Bentonville.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely, and many do. The median home price in Bentonville is around $300,000. With your $3,950 monthly surplus, a 20% down payment ($60,000) is achievable within 15-18 months of aggressive saving. A 30-year mortgage at 6.5% on a $240,000 loan would have a monthly payment of roughly $1,518 (principal and interest), plus property taxes and insurance, still leaving you with a very strong monthly surplus. Bentonville’s neighborhoods offer great value for homeowners compared to major coastal cities.

---

Where the Jobs Are: Bentonville's Major Employers

Bentonville’s job market is unique, anchored by corporate headquarters and a strong regional health system. Here are the key players you should be targeting:

1. Walmart Health & Wellness (Corporate): This is the elephant in the room. While their main campus is in Bentonville, their pharmacy operations are vast. They hire for clinical pharmacy managers, medication therapy management (MTM) specialists, and corporate pharmacy strategy roles. Hiring is steady but competitive. Insider Tip: Networking on LinkedIn with current Walmart pharmacy employees is crucial. They often post non-public roles internally first.

2. Northwest Medical Center (NMC) - Bentonville: The primary hospital in town. They have a 24/7 emergency department and a growing surgical and oncology program. Their pharmacy department is active, hiring for staff pharmacists, clinical specialists (critical care, oncology), and a pharmacy residency program. This is your best bet for acute care experience.

3. Baptist Health Medical Center (Bentonville): A smaller but growing hospital with a strong community focus. They hire for staff and clinical roles, often with a focus on ambulatory care and chronic disease management. Less turnover than NMC, but good opportunities for work-life balance.

4. Walmart & Sam’s Club Retail Pharmacies: There are over a dozen locations in and around Bentonville. These are the backbone of retail pharmacy here. Hiring is continuous for staff pharmacists and pharmacy managers. The pace is fast, but the benefits (including stock discount) are significant.

5. Community Pharmacy (Independent Chains): Stores like Muldrow Pharmacy and Pharmacy Specialists of Arkansas provide a different pace and closer patient relationships. They offer a classic community pharmacy feel and are often looking for pharmacists who want more autonomy.

6. Specialty Clinics & Oncology Centers: Bentonville is attracting more specialty practices, including the Bentonville Cancer Center and Arkansas Spine Center. These clinics often hire or contract clinical pharmacists for medication management, especially for oral oncolytics and complex therapies.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward clinical integration. Pharmacists with residency training (PGY1) or board certification (BCPS) are in high demand for hospital and clinical roles. Retail hiring is constant but can be cyclical. Insider Tip: The best time to look for hospital jobs is in the spring (after residency match) and late summer (before the new fiscal year).

---

Getting Licensed in Arkansas

Arkansas licensure is straightforward but requires attention to detail. The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy is the governing body.

Requirements:

1. Graduate from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy school.
2. Pass the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination).
3. Pass the MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination) for Arkansas.
4. Complete a background check and pay application fees.

Costs (Approximate):

• NAPLEX Exam Fee: $690 (paid to NABP)
• MPJE Exam Fee: $260 (paid to NABP)
• Arkansas License Application Fee: $185 (paid to the AR Board of Pharmacy)
• Background Check & Fingerprinting: ~$75
• Total: ~$1,210

Timeline to Get Started:

• Immediately: Create a NABP e-Profile and register for the NAPLEX and MPJE. You can take the MPJE anytime after graduation.
• Upon Graduation: Your school will send your official transcripts to the AR Board of Pharmacy. You must also submit a Score Transfer request to NABP to send your NAPLEX scores to Arkansas.
• Processing Time: The AR Board typically processes applications in 4-8 weeks after receiving all documents and passing scores.
• Pro-Tip: If you are licensed in another state, Arkansas offers reciprocity (licensure by endorsement) if your home state is part of the NABP Compact, or you can take the MPJE/AR-specific exam. Always check the Board’s website for the most current rules.

---

Best Neighborhoods for Pharmacists

Bentonville is highly drivable, and your commute will rarely exceed 20 minutes. Your choice of neighborhood will depend more on lifestyle and budget than job location.

1. Downtown Bentonville: The historic core, with the Bentonville Square, Crystal Bridges Museum, and 8th Street Market. It’s walkable, vibrant, and has the highest concentration of restaurants and boutique shops. Commute to NMC or downtown offices is under 10 minutes. Rent for a 1BR: $900 - $1,200/month. Best for young professionals who want an active social life.

2. Southwest Bentonville: The classic suburban area. Established neighborhoods with larger yards, top-rated schools, and newer subdivisions. Very popular with families. Commute to Walmart campus or NMC is 10-15 minutes. Rent for a 1BR: $750 - $950/month. Offers the best value for space and family-friendly amenities.

3. The Railyard District: An emerging area near the historic downtown train tracks. It’s a mix of older homes, new townhomes, and industrial-chic lofts. It’s trendy, attracting young professionals and creatives. Commute to downtown is easy. Rent for a 1BR: $800 - $1,000/month. For those who want a bit of grit and character.

4. Pleasant Grove (East Bentonville): A more affordable, family-oriented neighborhood outside the immediate downtown buzz. It has its own retail corridor and is a straight-shot commute to the hospital and corporate offices. Rent for a 1BR: $650 - $800/month. The best choice for maximizing your salary-to-rent ratio.

Insider Tip: Traffic is not a major issue in Bentonville. Your biggest commute factor will be occasional construction on I-49 or J Street. Living within 5 miles of your workplace is easy to manage.

---

The Long Game: Career Growth

The -3% job growth statistic shouldn’t scare you—it speaks to a stable, not stagnant, market. Growth for pharmacists in Bentonville isn’t about massive new job creation; it’s about advancement within existing roles and specialization.

Specialty Premiums (Estimated):

• Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP): +$15,000 - $20,000
• Critical Care (BCCCP): +$12,000 - $18,000
• Ambulatory Care (BCACP): +$10,000 - $15,000
• Pharmacy Management (ACPE): +$20,000 - $30,000+

Advancement Paths:

1. Clinical Path: Staff Pharmician → Clinical Specialist → Lead Clinical Pharmacist → Director of Clinical Services.
2. Management Path: Staff Pharmacist → Pharmacy Manager → Director of Pharmacy (Hospital) or Regional Pharmacy Manager (Corporate/Retail).
3. Corporate Path: Clinical Pharmacist → MTM Manager → Clinical Strategy Manager → Director of Pharmacy Benefits (often for a large employer like Walmart).

10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain strong for pharmacists with clinical skills, data literacy, and leadership experience. With the rise of value-based care, pharmacists who can prove their impact on patient outcomes (e.g., reducing hospital readmissions, improving medication adherence) will be the most valuable. Bentonville’s unique position as the home of Walmart means there may be opportunities in pharmacy benefit management (PBM) and digital health over the next decade. Insider Tip: Consider pursuing a BCACP (Ambulatory Care) certification. With NMC’s growing outpatient clinics and Walmart’s focus on primary care, this is a high-growth area in our local market.

---

The Verdict: Is Bentonville Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living (91.0 index) with a median salary of $132,357. High purchasing power.	-3% job growth means fewer new openings; competition for top-tier clinical roles can be fierce.
Stable, Major Employers: Walmart, Northwest Medical Center. Less risk of layoffs.	Limited Cultural Diversity compared to larger metros. Can feel homogeneous.
Excellent Work-Life Balance: Short commutes, low traffic, family-friendly environment.	Limited Public Transportation; car ownership is a must.
Growing, Modern City: Crystal Bridges, 8th Street Market, new restaurants. It’s not a sleepy town.	Nightlife & Scene is quiet; if you want a bustling 24/7 city, look to Little Rock or Austin.
Strong Housing Market: Affordable homeownership is within reach for a pharmacist.	Specialty Opportunities are growing but still fewer than in a major academic medical center.

Final Recommendation: Bentonville is an exceptional choice for a pharmacist who values financial stability, work-life balance, and a family-friendly environment. It’s not the place for someone seeking the fastest career climb in a hyper-competitive, high-cost city. If you are a mid-to-senior level pharmacist looking to solidify your career, buy a home, and enjoy a high quality of life without the stresses of a major metropolis, Bentonville is a strategic and rewarding move. For residents, it’s a long-term play—the city is steadily improving, and your dollar goes far here.

---

FAQs

Q: Is Bentonville a good place for a new pharmacy graduate?
A: Yes, but with a plan. The $115,000 - $125,000 entry-level salary goes a very long way with rent at $773/month. The market is competitive, so new grads should be open to starting in retail at a Walmart or community pharmacy to gain experience, while applying for hospital residencies or staff positions at NMC. It’s a great place to build savings.

Q: How competitive are the hospital pharmacist jobs at Northwest Medical Center?
A: Moderately competitive. A PGY1 residency gives you a strong edge, but they also hire experienced retail pharmacists for staff roles. Insider Tip: Apply directly on their website and also connect with the Director of Pharmacy on LinkedIn. They often prioritize candidates who show a clear interest in the Bentonville community.

Q: What’s the car situation like? Do I need a reliable vehicle?
A: Absolutely. Bentonville is a sprawling, car-centric city. Public transport (Ozark Regional Transit) exists but is limited. Most pharmacists live 5-10 miles from work, and you’ll want a car for groceries, errands, and weekend trips to Rogers or Fayetteville. Budget for car insurance, gas, and maintenance.

Q: Are there opportunities for part-time or per-diem pharmacy work?
A: Yes, especially in retail. Many of the Walmart and community pharmacies use per-diem pharmacists to cover vacations and leaves. The hospital at NMC also hires casual or part-time pharmacists. This is a great way to supplement your income or test the market before a full-time commitment.

Q: How does the 10-year job growth of -3% affect long-term prospects?
A: It means you need to be proactive. The negative growth is due to automation (e.g., robotics in retail) and consolidation, not a lack of demand. To buck this trend, focus on non-dispensing roles: MTM, clinical services, management, and specialty areas like oncology. These are growing niches within Bentonville’s stable market. Your career growth will come from specialization, not from just waiting for new openings.