The national median pharmacist salary is $138,000 in 2026. Even the lowest-paying states offer six-figure incomes — but California pays 39% more than Alabama. Here’s the complete 50-state breakdown.
Pharmacist Salary by State 2026 — All 50 States
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | CoL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $168,000 | $128,000 | $120,900 |
| 2 | Alaska | $162,000 | $124,000 | $144,000 |
| 3 | Maine | $156,000 | $120,000 | $160,800 |
| 4 | Oregon | $153,000 | $118,000 | $135,400 |
| 5 | Washington | $150,000 | $116,000 | $136,400 |
| 6 | Vermont | $149,000 | $115,000 | $143,300 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $148,000 | $115,000 | $137,000 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $147,000 | $114,000 | $132,400 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $146,000 | $113,000 | $123,700 |
| 10 | New York | $145,000 | $112,000 | $117,900 |
| 11 | Colorado | $144,000 | $111,000 | $129,000 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $143,000 | $110,000 | $115,300 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $142,000 | $110,000 | $126,900 |
| 14 | Maryland | $141,500 | $109,000 | $123,000 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $141,000 | $109,000 | $141,000 |
| 16 | Nevada | $140,500 | $108,000 | $136,700 |
| 17 | Virginia | $140,000 | $108,000 | $135,900 |
| 18 | Delaware | $139,500 | $107,000 | $138,400 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $139,000 | $107,000 | $124,100 |
| 20 | Illinois | $138,500 | $107,000 | $142,900 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $138,000 | $106,000 | $143,100 |
| 22 | Michigan | $137,500 | $106,000 | $144,700 |
| 23 | Ohio | $137,000 | $106,000 | $147,700 |
| 24 | Montana | $136,500 | $105,000 | $148,000 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $136,000 | $105,000 | $150,800 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $135,500 | $105,000 | $144,400 |
| 27 | Idaho | $135,000 | $104,000 | $141,600 |
| 28 | Utah | $134,500 | $104,000 | $131,500 |
| 29 | Iowa | $134,000 | $103,000 | $147,200 |
| 30 | Kansas | $133,500 | $103,000 | $145,800 |
| 31 | Indiana | $133,000 | $103,000 | $144,600 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $132,500 | $102,000 | $144,000 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $132,000 | $102,000 | $143,100 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $131,500 | $102,000 | $142,900 |
| 35 | Missouri | $131,000 | $101,000 | $146,000 |
| 36 | Arizona | $130,500 | $101,000 | $127,900 |
| 37 | Texas | $130,000 | $100,000 | $131,300 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $129,500 | $100,000 | $138,800 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $129,000 | $99,000 | $137,200 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $128,500 | $99,000 | $145,000 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $128,000 | $99,000 | $141,700 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $127,500 | $98,000 | $137,100 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $127,000 | $98,000 | $135,500 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $126,500 | $98,000 | $134,600 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $126,000 | $97,000 | $148,200 |
| 46 | Georgia | $125,000 | $97,000 | $126,300 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $125,000 | $96,000 | $141,200 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $124,000 | $96,000 | $139,900 |
| 49 | Florida | $123,000 | $95,000 | $123,000 |
| 50 | Alabama | $121,000 | $94,000 | $133,100 |
| — | National | $138,000 | $105,000 | — |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, 2025–2026 estimates. Figures cover Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051). CoL-adjusted figures use regional cost-of-living indices.
Pharmacist Salary by Work Setting
Work setting creates the biggest variation within pharmacist pay, even more than state.
| Work Setting | Average Salary | % of Pharmacists |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Industry | $165,000 | 5% |
| Nuclear Pharmacy | $165,000 | 2% |
| Specialty / Oncology Pharmacy | $155,000 | 8% |
| Hospital / Health System | $148,000 | 25% |
| Pharmacy Director | $172,000 | 3% |
| Ambulatory Care / Clinic | $140,000 | 10% |
| Mail Order / PBM | $138,000 | 5% |
| Independent Pharmacy | $130,000 | 10% |
| Retail Chain (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) | $130,000 | 32% |
Pharmacist Salary by Specialization
| Specialization | Avg Salary | Credential |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Pharmacist | $165,000 | Board Certified Nuclear Pharmacist (BCNP) |
| Oncology Pharmacist | $158,000 | Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP) |
| Infectious Disease Pharmacist | $152,000 | Board Certified Infectious Diseases Pharmacist (BCIDP) |
| Ambulatory Care Pharmacist | $145,000 | Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP) |
| Psychiatric Pharmacist | $143,000 | Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) |
| Critical Care Pharmacist | $150,000 | Board Certified Critical Care Pharmacist (BCCCP) |
| Pediatric Pharmacist | $142,000 | Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist (BCPPS) |
Pharmacist Salary by Experience
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 year (new PharmD) | $112,000 | Baseline |
| 2–4 years | $124,000 | +11% |
| 5–9 years | $136,000 | +21% |
| 10–14 years | $146,000 | +30% |
| 15–20 years | $155,000 | +38% |
| 20+ years / pharmacy director | $170,000 | +52% |
How to Increase Your Pharmacist Salary
| Strategy | Potential Annual Increase |
|---|---|
| Move to clinical hospital setting | +$8,000–$20,000 |
| Complete a pharmacy residency (PGY-1/PGY-2) | +$10,000–$25,000 |
| Earn a Board Certification (BCOP, BCPS) | +$5,000–$15,000 |
| Move to pharmaceutical industry | +$20,000–$60,000 |
| Advance to pharmacy director | +$30,000–$50,000 |
| Relocate to California or Alaska | +$25,000–$45,000 |
| Move to specialty pharmacy | +$15,000–$30,000 |
Related: How Much Do Pharmacists Make | Average Salary by State
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “May 2025 OES — Pharmacists (29-1051).” bls.gov/oes/current/oes291051.htm
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook — Pharmacists.” bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm
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