Pharmacy Degree Programs in Cape Girardeau, MO (2026)
Quick answer: The Cape Girardeau metro employs about 100 pharmacists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state board of pharmacy.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Every state licenses pharmacists through its own board of pharmacy. The national constants are a Doctor of Pharmacy from a ACPE-accredited program, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the NAPLEX administered through NABP. Boards commonly add a jurisprudence examination covering their own law and a supervised practice-hours requirement, and rules for licensure transfer between states vary.
See the Missouri licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state board of pharmacy.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Pharmacists Earn in Cape Girardeau
Pharmacists in the Cape Girardeau area earn a median $141,250 per year, above the national median of $140,910 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Pharmacy Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO
| Metric | Cape Girardeau metro | Missouri | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $141,250 | $137,610 | $140,910 |
| 10th percentile | $124,110 | $107,530 | $99,290 |
| 25th percentile | $131,060 | $127,920 | $129,380 |
| 75th percentile | $165,980 | $158,120 | $161,840 |
| 90th percentile | $177,470 | $166,840 | $174,230 |
| Employment | 100 | 6,740 | 321,970 |
| Location quotient | 1.07 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Cape Girardeau median of $141,250 is above the national median of $140,910, and above the Missouri statewide median of $137,610 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 1.07 means pharmacists are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Pharmacist employment follows retail pharmacy density and hospital systems, which makes it one of the more evenly distributed healthcare occupations across a state.
Other Missouri Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $138,530 | 2,910 |
| Kansas City | $139,460 | 2,640 |
| Springfield | $134,990 | 560 |
| Columbia | $139,430 | 280 |
| Joplin | $127,710 | 180 |
| St. Joseph | $131,720 | 120 |
| Jefferson City | $130,190 | 100 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Cape Girardeau?
The median annual wage for pharmacists in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area is $141,250, above the national median of $140,910 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many pharmacists work in the Cape Girardeau area?
The Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area employs about 100 pharmacists (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do pharmacists in Cape Girardeau need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Every state licenses pharmacists through its own board of pharmacy. The national constants are a Doctor of Pharmacy from a ACPE-accredited program, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the NAPLEX administered through NABP. Boards commonly add a jurisprudence examination covering their own law and a supervised practice-hours requirement, and rules for licensure transfer between states vary. Confirm current requirements with your state board of pharmacy.
Can I study pharmacy online from Cape Girardeau?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state board of pharmacy.
Is Cape Girardeau a better market than the rest of Missouri?
The Cape Girardeau metro median is $141,250 against a statewide median of $137,610 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Pharmacy degree programs in Missouri - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Pharmacy programs and how to choose one
- Pharmacy Technician career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.