Pharmacist in Little Rock, AR

The Salary Picture: Where Little Rock Stands

Let's get straight to the numbers, because that's what matters when you're looking at a job offer. The pharmacy job market in Little Rock is defined by a specific data point: a median salary of $131,581/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $63.26/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $136,030/year, a gap that reflects the region's lower cost of living. For context, the metro area has 407 pharmacist jobs, a stable but not booming market. The 10-year job growth projection is -3%, indicating a field that is mature and competitive rather than rapidly expanding. This isn't a growth market; it's a retention market. Employers here need experienced, reliable pharmacists, not fresh graduates flooding in for new positions.

To understand where you fit into that median, here’s a breakdown by experience level. This data is derived from local job postings, Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy records, and national salary adjustment tools applied to the local market.

Experience Level	Typical Local Salary Range	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-3 years)	$105,000 - $120,000	Staff pharmacist in retail chain (CVS, Walgreens), independent pharmacy, or hospital staff. Focus on dispensing, patient counseling, and basic workflow.
Mid-Career (4-9 years)	$125,000 - $140,000	Senior staff pharmacist, clinical specialist in a hospital, pharmacy manager for a regional chain. Increased responsibility for inventory, technician supervision, and complex patient cases.
Senior (10-15 years)	$135,000 - $155,000	Pharmacy manager (overseeing multiple locations), clinical pharmacy specialist (oncology, cardiology), consultant pharmacist for long-term care facilities.
Expert (15+ years)	$150,000+	Director of Pharmacy for a major health system (UAMS, Baptist Health), corporate pharmacy operations, specialty pharmacy management, or academic appointment at UAMS College of Pharmacy.

How does Little Rock compare to other Arkansas cities? The salary picture is relatively flat across the state. Little Rock is the largest metro and typically commands the highest salaries, but not by a huge margin. For example, a pharmacist in Fayetteville (home to Walmart's corporate pharmacy division) might see a similar median, but with a higher concentration of corporate and industry roles. In smaller metros like Fort Smith or Jonesboro, salaries can dip into the $120,000 range for comparable roles. The key differentiator in Little Rock is the concentration of major health systems and state-level institutions, which provide more diverse career paths beyond retail.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A six-figure salary looks great on paper, but in Arkansas, it goes a long way. Let's break down the monthly budget for a pharmacist earning the median salary of $131,581/year. This is a pre-tax figure, so we'll estimate deductions.

Assumptions:

• Gross Monthly Pay: $10,965
• Estimated Tax Deductions (Federal, State, FICA): ~28% ($3,070)
• Net Monthly Pay (Take-Home): ~$7,895

Now, let's layer in the cost of living. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Little Rock is $950/month. The city's Cost of Living Index is 89.1, significantly below the U.S. average of 100. This means your dollar stretches further here, especially in housing, groceries, and utilities.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Mid-Career Pharmacist:

• Net Income: $7,895
• Rent (1-BR in a safe, central area): $950
• Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet): $200
• Groceries & Household: $500
• Car Payment & Insurance: $500 (Arkansas has high auto insurance rates; budget accordingly)
• Health Insurance (Employer-Sponsored): $300
• Retirement Savings (10% pre-tax): $1,096
• Entertainment, Dining, Personal: $800
• Student Loans (if applicable): $500-$800
• Remaining Surplus: $3,249 - $3,549

This surplus is substantial. It allows for aggressive savings, home ownership, or a comfortable lifestyle. Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in the Little Rock metro is approximately $225,000. With a 20% down payment ($45,000), the monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would be around $1,300-$1,500, which is easily manageable with a $7,895 net income. This financial flexibility is one of Little Rock's biggest draws for healthcare professionals.

Where the Jobs Are: Little Rock's Major Employers

The job market is dominated by a few large players. Knowing who they are and how they operate is crucial.

1. Baptist Health Medical Center: The largest private employer in Arkansas. Their pharmacy department is extensive, covering inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and specialty services (especially in oncology and transplant). They value clinical pharmacists with BCPS (Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist) credentials. Hiring is steady but internal promotions are common.
2. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS): This is the state's only academic health sciences center. The UAMS Medical Center and its College of Pharmacy offer roles from clinical specialists to researchers and educators. Positions here often require a Pharm.D. and sometimes a residency. It's a hub for innovation and specialized care.
3. Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH): A nationally ranked pediatric hospital with a dedicated, specialized pharmacy team. They have one of the most advanced pediatric pharmacy programs in the region, including a specialty pharmacy for rare diseases. Roles are highly competitive and often require pediatric experience or a PGY-2 residency.
4. CVS Health & Walgreens: These retail giants are ubiquitous. In Little Rock, they are the primary employers for entry-level and mid-career staff pharmacists. The pace is fast, and management roles are available. They offer sign-on bonuses ($10,000-$20,000) to attract talent to less desirable locations, but turnover is higher here than in hospital settings.
5. The VA Regional Office & John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital: The VA is a major federal employer. The VA Little Rock Healthcare System is a large facility with a robust pharmacy service. Federal jobs offer excellent benefits, pension, and job security. The hiring process is slow and bureaucratic but worth the wait for the right candidate.
6. Independent Pharmacies & Specialty Pharmacies: While less common, there are notable independent chains like Manna Pharmacy and specialty providers like Orsini Specialty Pharmacy. These offer a more personal work environment and often better margins for owners. For employees, they provide a break from corporate bureaucracy.

Insider Tip: The most coveted roles are clinical specialist positions at Baptist Health or UAMS. They require a PGY-1 residency and a BCPS certification. The competition is fierce, but the pay and professional satisfaction are high. For those without a residency, retail and hospital staff roles are plentiful but require networking. Attend events at the Arkansas Pharmacy Association (ArPhA) to get your name out there.

Getting Licensed in AR

If you're moving from another state, you'll need to apply for licensure by endorsement through the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy. The process is straightforward but requires attention to detail.

Requirements:

1. Graduation from an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
2. Passing the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination).
3. Completion of the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) for Arkansas. This is a state-specific law exam. You can study the Arkansas Pharmacy Act and Regulations.
4. Proof of Experience: For licensure by endorsement, you typically need to have been licensed in another state for at least 2 years. If you haven't, you may need to complete a supervised practice period in Arkansas.
5. Background Check & Application Fee: The application fee is $200. A fingerprint-based criminal background check is required (approximately $50).

Timeline and Cost:

• Application Processing: 4-6 weeks for a complete application.
• MPJE: You can take this as soon as your application is received. It's offered year-round at Pearson VUE centers.
• Total Estimated Cost (excluding travel): $300 - $500 (Application, MPJE, background check).
• Insider Tip: The Arkansas MPJE is considered moderate in difficulty. Use the official state pharmacy board website for study materials. The real law is in the Arkansas Code Annotated, Title 17, Subtitle 4. Also, note Arkansas is a "prescription monitoring" state, so you'll need to register with the Arkansas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) immediately upon licensure.

Best Neighborhoods for Pharmacists

Where you live in Little Rock impacts your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a practical guide.

1. Hillcrest (The Hill): This is the historic, walkable neighborhood just west of downtown. It's filled with older bungalows and new condos. You're minutes from Baptist Health and a short drive to UAMS. The vibe is vibrant, with great restaurants and parks. Commute: 5-15 minutes to most hospitals. Rent Estimate: $1,100 - $1,600 for a 1BR/1BA in a renovated historic building.
2. Chenal Valley (West Little Rock): Modern, suburban, and family-oriented. This is where you'll find newer apartment complexes, single-family homes, and top-rated schools. It's the hub for corporate offices (like Dillards) and is close to I-630 for easy access to hospitals. Commute: 15-25 minutes to downtown hospitals. Rent Estimate: $1,000 - $1,400 for a spacious 1BR in a modern complex.
3. Capitol View / Stifft Station: An up-and-coming area just north of the Capitol. It's more affordable than Hillcrest but still has character and is gentrifying quickly. Great for those who want a shorter commute to UAMS and the VA. Commute: 10 minutes to UAMS, 15 to Baptist Health. Rent Estimate: $800 - $1,200 for a 1BR.
4. The Heights / Hillcrest (North of I-630): This is the affluent, established area with large homes and tree-lined streets. It's very quiet and safe, but further from the major hospital clusters unless you work at Arkansas Children's. Commute: 20-30 minutes to downtown. Rent Estimate: $1,200 - $1,800 for a luxury 1BR apartment or a small house.
5. Downtown Little Rock: Lofts and apartments in converted warehouses. It's walkable, with a growing food and arts scene, but can be noisy. Best for young, single pharmacists who want an urban lifestyle. Commute: 5-10 minutes to Baptist Health, 10-15 to UAMS. Rent Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500 for a modern loft.

Insider Tip: Traffic is minimal compared to other metros. The biggest congestion is on I-630 during rush hour. Living in Hillcrest or Capitol View minimizes commute times to the core hospital cluster (Baptist, UAMS, VA, Arkansas Children's are all within a 3-mile radius). If you work at Arkansas Children's, consider the Midtown area for the shortest drive.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Little Rock, career growth isn't about rapid vertical leaps; it's about strategic specialization.

• Specialty Premiums: The biggest salary increases come from specialization. A BCPS certification can add $5,000-$10,000 to your base. Specialists in Oncology (BCOP) or Pediatrics (BCPPS) at Arkansas Children's or Baptist Health can command $140,000+. Compounded Sterile Preparations (CSP) expertise is highly valued in hospital settings.
• Advancement Paths: The traditional path is Staff Pharmacist -> Clinical Specialist -> Pharmacy Manager -> Director of Pharmacy. However, there's a growing niche in Informatics (managing EHR systems like Epic for pharmacy) and Ambulatory Care (managing chronic disease clinics). UAMS and Baptist Health have dedicated informatics pharmacists.
• 10-Year Outlook: The -3% job growth means the market will be stable but tight. New graduates will face competition for fewer openings. The demand will be for pharmacists who can adapt to value-based care models—who can work in medication therapy management (MTM) clinics, collaborate with primary care providers, and manage complex chronic disease states. Retail pharmacy will continue to consolidate, making hospital and clinical roles even more desirable. For those considering ownership, the independent pharmacy market is mature but stable; a well-run independent in a food desert can still be highly profitable.

The Verdict: Is Little Rock Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Excellent Cost of Living: Your $131,581 salary feels like $160,000+ elsewhere. Homeownership is highly achievable.	Stagnant Job Market: The -3% growth means you compete for existing positions. Moving up requires patience and networking.
Major Health Systems: Access to large, teaching hospitals (UAMS, Baptist, ACH) for clinical growth.	Salary Slightly Below National Average: You trade higher pay for a lower cost of living.
Manageable Commute: Traffic is mild; most commutes are under 20 minutes.	Limited Cultural Diversity: Little Rock is improving but is less cosmopolitan than coastal cities.
Outdoor Access: Pinnacle Mountain State Park, the River Market, and the Arkansas River Trail offer great recreation.	Public School Variability: School quality varies greatly by neighborhood; research is essential for families.
Southern Hospitality: Professional networks are tight-knit and welcoming.	Weather: Hot, humid summers and occasional severe storms (tornadoes).

Final Recommendation: Little Rock is an ideal choice for a pharmacist who values financial stability, quality of life, and a tight-knit professional community over rapid career acceleration and high-cost urban living. It's especially strong for those in the mid-to-late career stage looking to buy a home, raise a family, or transition into a clinical specialty without the pressure of a hyper-competitive market. For a new graduate, it's a solid place to start, but you must be proactive in networking to secure a hospital-based residency or staff position.

FAQs

1. Is it easy to find a job in Little Rock without a residency?
Yes, especially in retail with CVS and Walgreens. Hospital jobs are more competitive and often prefer or require a PGY-1 residency. Without one, focus on staff pharmacist roles at Baptist Health, UAMS, or the VA, and be prepared for a longer job search. Networking through the Arkansas Pharmacy Association is key.

2. What are the best resources for pharmacists moving to Arkansas?
The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy website is your bible for licensing. The Arkansas Pharmacy Association (ArPhA) is vital for networking, job boards, and continuing education. For housing, use local real estate sites like Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's real estate section or Zillow filtered for Little Rock.

3. How do Arkansas's pharmacy scope of practice laws compare to other states?
Arkansas has a moderate scope. Pharmacists have robust collaborative practice agreement (CPA) authority, allowing them to prescribe and manage medications under specific protocols. This is more advanced than some conservative states but less expansive than in states like California or New Mexico. It's a good middle ground for clinical practice.

4. What's the pharmacy community like in Little Rock?
It's small and collegial. You'll see the same faces at pharmacy meetings, hospital rounds, and continuing education events. There's a strong sense of camaraderie, but also competition for the best positions. Being active in ArPhA can fast-track your integration.

5. Should I consider a temporary or travel pharmacist position first?
This is a smart strategy. Travel pharmacy assignments are common in the Arkansas region, especially in rural areas surrounding Little Rock. It allows you to test the market, gain local experience, and build a network before committing to a permanent role. Many travel pharmacists are converted to permanent staff at Baptist Health or regional hospitals.