Pharmacist in Lee's Summit, MO

The Salary Picture: Where Lee's Summit Stands

It’s important to understand the local market before you pack up. As a pharmacist, you’re looking at a salary that’s solid for the region but comes with a specific economic reality in Lee's Summit. The median salary here is $133,295/year, translating to an hourly rate of $64.08/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $136,030/year, which is typical for the Midwest. The metro area, which includes the broader Kansas City region, supports 208 pharmacist jobs. The most critical data point for anyone considering a long-term move is the 10-year job growth projection of -3%. This signals a mature, stable market with limited new openings, meaning you’ll likely be competing for existing positions rather than seeing a boom in opportunities.

Here’s how salaries break down by experience level in the Lee's Summit area. Note that these are estimates based on local market observations and the provided median data.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Local Context
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$110,000 - $125,000	Often starts at retail chains (CVS, Walgreens) or hospital systems. Shift differentials can add 5-10%.
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$125,000 - $140,000	This is where the median $133,295 sits. Moving into clinical roles or specialty pharmacy here.
Senior (8-15 yrs)	$140,000 - $160,000	Management, oncology, or clinical specialist roles at major health systems.
Expert/Managerial	$155,000+	Director-level positions, specialty pharmacy program oversight, or corporate roles.

Insider Tip: The Kansas City metro is larger than Lee's Summit proper. While the city's median is $133,295, you can see higher salaries (closer to the national average) by commuting to downtown KC hospitals like The University of Kansas Health System or Children's Mercy. The trade-off is a longer commute and higher city parking costs.

Compared to other Missouri cities, Lee's Summit offers a competitive salary relative to its cost of living. St. Louis and Kansas City (downtown) might have slightly higher median salaries, but they also come with a higher cost of living and longer commutes. Columbia, home to the University of Missouri, has a strong academic pharmacy presence but a smaller job market.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the budget. A salary of $133,295/ year breaks down to approximately $11,108/ month gross. After federal, state (MO has a progressive tax), and FICA taxes, your take-home pay will be closer to $8,200 - $8,500/ month, depending on your filing status and deductions.

The average 1-bedroom rent in Lee's Summit is $886/month. This is remarkably affordable. Let’s build a monthly budget for a single pharmacist (no dependents) earning the median salary.

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$11,108	Based on $133,295/year
Net Monthly Pay (Take-Home)	$8,400	Conservative estimate after taxes
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$886	Lee's Summit average
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	$200	Varies by season
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	Necessary in this car-centric suburb
Groceries & Household	$400
Health Insurance (if employer doesn't cover full premium)	$300
Retirement Savings (10%)	$840	Crucial for long-term stability
Discretionary Spending	$1,274	Entertainment, dining, travel, etc.
Total Expenses	$4,400
Monthly Surplus	$4,000

The surplus of $4,000/month is substantial. This is where Lee's Summit's affordability shines. It allows for aggressive savings, debt payoff, and lifestyle spending.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The Lee's Summit housing market is very accessible. The median home value is around $275,000. With a 20% down payment ($55,000), a 30-year fixed mortgage at ~7% would have a monthly payment of roughly $1,465 (including taxes and insurance). Even with a conservative budget, this is well within reach for a mid-level pharmacist. This is a key advantage over cities like Denver or Austin where home ownership is a distant dream for many professionals.

Where the Jobs Are: Lee's Summit's Major Employers

The job market is stable but competitive. With 208 jobs in the metro and -3% growth, you need to target the right employers. Lee's Summit is a retail and suburban healthcare hub. Most pharmacist positions are in retail chains, with a growing presence in hospital and outpatient settings.

1. CVS Health & Walgreens: These are the largest employers of pharmacists in Lee's Summit. Multiple locations throughout the city. Hiring tends to be consistent, with turnover as people move into other roles. Hiring Trend: High volume, often looking for full-time and part-time staff. Expect to start in a retail setting.
2. Commerce Bancshares (Commerce Bank): A regional bank headquartered in the Kansas City metro with a strong presence in Lee's Summit. They sometimes have corporate roles for pharmacists in their clinical management or pharmacy benefit design teams, though these are less common.
3. Saint Luke's Health System (Eastside & Lee's Summit Medical Center): Two major hospitals serve the area. Lee's Summit Medical Center is a Level III Trauma center. Saint Luke's East Hospital is another key facility. Hiring Trend: These hospitals value clinical pharmacists. They hire for inpatient, oncology, and ambulatory care roles. Getting a foot in the door here often requires residency experience, but experienced pharmacists with a strong clinical focus can transition.
4. University of Kansas Health System (The "KU Med"): While physically in Kansas City, KS, it’s a major regional draw. Many Lee's Summit residents commute here for work. They have extensive specialty pharmacy and oncology pharmacy services. Hiring Trend: Highly competitive, often seeking PharmD candidates with residencies. A prime destination for career growth.
5. The Apothecary Shop (now part of Amazon Pharmacy): This is an insider tip. Amazon has a significant fulfillment center and pharmacy operation in the Kansas City area. They hire pharmacists for clinical, operational, and management roles. It’s a different pace from retail and offers stock options and tech-driven growth.
6. Local Independent Pharmacies: While fewer, places like Lee's Summit Family Pharmacy or Heier's Pharmacy offer a personalized, community-focused environment. Hiring Trend: Hiring is sporadic but can be a great fit for those wanting to escape corporate chains.

Insider Tip: The best jobs are often filled through networking. Join the Missouri Pharmacy Association and the Kansas City Pharmacy Society. Attend their local events. Many hospital and specialty roles are posted internally and through recruiters before going public.

Getting Licensed in MO

If you're moving from another state, you'll need to get licensed by the Missouri Board of Pharmacy. The process is straightforward but requires attention to detail.

1. Verify Your Education: Ensure your PharmD is from an ACPE-accredited program. You'll need to submit official transcripts.
2. Foreign Graduates: If you earned your degree outside the U.S., you must have your credentials evaluated by the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) and pass the FPGEE.
3. Take the MPJE: All applicants must pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) for Missouri. This is a 120-question exam on state and federal pharmacy law.
4. Take the NAPLEX: The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) is the primary licensure exam. It's the same nationwide.
5. Background Check: Submit fingerprints for a criminal background check.
6. Application & Fees: Submit the application through the Missouri Board of Pharmacy's online portal. The total cost for licensure by examination (including exams, application, and background check) is approximately $800 - $1,200.

Timeline: From submitting your application to receiving your license, plan for 3-6 months, assuming you pass the exams on your first attempt. You can apply for a temporary license while awaiting final approval.

Best Neighborhoods for Pharmacists

Lee's Summit is a sprawling suburb, and your choice of neighborhood will impact your commute, lifestyle, and rent.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Pharmacist Fit	Avg. 1BR Rent
Downtown Lee's Summit	Walkable, historic, trendy. Close to local restaurants and parks. Commute to most employers is under 15 mins.	Ideal for those who want a "main street" feel without a long drive. Low-stress commute.	$1,000 - $1,250
The Village (N.E. Lee's Summit)	Established, family-oriented, highly rated schools. Older homes, larger lots. Commute is easy via I-470.	Great for those planning a family. Quiet, safe, and very reasonable rents.	$900 - $1,100
East Lee's Summit (near I-470/US-50)	Newer construction, modern apartments, strip malls. A direct shot to both Saint Luke's hospitals.	The best bet for hospital pharmacists. Close to the action, easy commute.	$950 - $1,200
Brookside (Kansas City, MO)	In nearby Kansas City. Historic, walkable, vibrant. A popular choice for professionals. Commute to Lee's Summit is 20-30 mins.	For those who want city amenities and a longer commute. Rents are higher.	$1,300+

Commute Insight: Traffic in Lee's Summit is minimal compared to a major city. The longest commutes are to downtown KC, which can be 25-40 minutes on I-70 or I-435. You will drive everywhere.

The Long Game: Career Growth

With -3% job growth, advancement isn't about new jobs appearing; it's about specialization and moving into higher-value roles.

• Specialty Premiums: Oncology, infectious disease, and ambulatory care pharmacists can command a 10-15% premium over the base retail salary. These roles are primarily in hospital systems (Saint Luke's, KU Med).
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Clinical Pharmacist Specialist: Requires a PGY-1 or PGY-2 residency. This is the main path for hospital-based growth.
  2. Pharmacy Manager/Director: Moving up the corporate ladder at a chain or regional health system. Often requires an MBA or MS in Healthcare Administration.
  3. Pharmaceutical Industry: Working for companies like Eli Lilly, Novartis, or local biotech firms (often in nearby Kansas City, KS). This is a competitive but lucrative pivot.
  4. Informatics Pharmacy: Combining pharmacy with IT to optimize electronic health records and medication systems. A growing field in major hospitals.

10-Year Outlook: The market will remain stable. The focus will be on value-based care, reducing medication errors, and managing chronic diseases. Pharmacists with data analysis skills and experience in collaborative practice agreements will be most in demand. The -3% projection suggests that securing a role at a major hospital or health system will be key for long-term stability.

The Verdict: Is Lee's Summit Right for You?

Lee's Summit offers a compelling package for a pharmacist: a comfortable salary in an exceptionally affordable city. It’s a place where you can build wealth, buy a home, and have a high quality of life without the stress of a major metropolis. However, the limited job growth means you need to be strategic about your entry point and long-term career planning.

Pros	Cons
Affordable Cost of Living (Index 93.3, Rent $886)	Limited Job Growth (-3%) means competition is key.
Strong Median Salary ($133,295) with high purchasing power.	Car-Dependent City – walking or biking is limited.
Low Commute Times within the city and to KC.	Corporate Retail Focus – most jobs are in chains.
Family-Friendly Environment with good schools and parks.	Less "Nightlife" compared to downtown Kansas City.
Stable, Mature Job Market in healthcare.	Specialty Roles require residency or advanced degrees.

Final Recommendation: Lee's Summit is an excellent choice for pharmacists seeking financial stability, homeownership, and a family-oriented lifestyle. It is particularly well-suited for mid-career professionals or those looking to transition from a high-cost city. It is less ideal for new graduates without a residency, as the hospital job market is competitive, and for those seeking a dynamic, urban nightlife scene. If you secure a role at Saint Luke's, KU Med, or even a stable retail position, you can build a very comfortable life here.

FAQs

Q: What's the real cost of living difference?
A: The Cost of Living Index is 93.3 (US avg = 100). This means you need about 6.7% less income than the national average to maintain the same standard of living. The biggest savings are in housing, where rent ($886) is significantly below the national average.

Q: Is a residency required to get a good job here?
A: No, but it helps immensely for hospital and clinical roles. For retail, it's not required. For specialized hospital positions (like oncology or ICU), a PGY-1 is often the minimum. Many pharmacists without a residency build experience in retail and then transition to a hospital setting after a few years.

Q: How's the commute really?
A: It's one of the biggest perks. Lee's Summit is designed for cars. Rush hour traffic exists but is manageable. A commute from the Village to Lee's Summit Medical Center might be 10-15 minutes. A commute to downtown KC can be 30-45 minutes, which is standard for a metro area. Public transportation is limited.

Q: Can I live in Kansas City and work in Lee's Summit?
A: Yes, and many do. The suburbs are interconnected. Living in areas like Brookside, Waldo, or the Crossroads in Kansas City gives you more urban amenities. You'll trade a shorter commute for a longer one (20-40 mins), and higher rent. It's a great compromise if your partner works in downtown KC.

Q: What's the best way to find a job?
A: Don't rely solely on job boards. Use the local employers list above. Network via the Missouri Pharmacy Association. Contact the pharmacy directors at Saint Luke's Lee's Summit and Lee's Summit Medical Center directly with your CV. For retail, apply through the corporate websites of CVS and Walgreens, but also call the local store managers. Persistence and local connections are key in this stable market.