Pharmacists in the US earn $140,920 on average — making it one of the highest-paying healthcare professions that doesn’t require medical school or residency.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for pharmacists, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| 25th | $129,380 | $62.20 |
| 50th (median) | $140,910 | $67.75 |
| 75th | $161,840 | $77.81 |
| 90th | $174,230 | $83.76 |
| Average (mean) | $140,920 | $67.75 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Pharmacists (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Average Pharmacist Salary in 2026
Pharmacist compensation has remained strong due to steady demand for prescription services and an expanding role in patient care — including vaccinations, medication therapy management, and chronic disease counseling. The average sits above $128,000, though entry-level pharmacists can expect to start around $110,000 and climb quickly within their first few years.
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $140,920 |
| Median salary | $140,910 |
| Entry level | $110,000-$120,000 |
| Mid-career | $125,000-$140,000 |
| Top 10% | $162,000+ |
| Hourly rate | $61.81 |
Pharmacist Salary by State
Geography is one of the biggest factors in pharmacist pay. Western states like California, Alaska, and Oregon consistently top the charts — driven by higher cost of living, union presence, and state-level regulations that expand the pharmacist scope of practice. States in the South and parts of the Northeast tend to pay below the national average.
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $162,340 | $90,560 | $164,610 |
| 2 | Alaska | $161,220 | $133,830 | $167,310 |
| 3 | Oregon | $159,230 | $126,040 | $165,960 |
| 4 | Washington | $159,100 | $126,230 | $160,610 |
| 5 | Hawaii | $153,220 | $127,410 | $163,220 |
| 6 | Colorado | $150,510 | $120,410 | $156,030 |
| 7 | Delaware | $147,290 | $103,170 | $152,880 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $147,060 | $98,150 | $159,740 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $146,010 | $112,020 | $148,740 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $144,970 | $64,870 | $153,400 |
| 11 | New Mexico | $143,050 | $103,500 | $147,000 |
| 12 | Arizona | $142,330 | $103,490 | $146,930 |
| 13 | South Dakota | $142,330 | $112,200 | $146,790 |
| 14 | Virginia | $141,990 | $106,800 | $144,060 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $141,350 | $112,560 | $137,620 |
| 16 | Vermont | $140,780 | $117,860 | $136,270 |
| 17 | Maryland | $140,730 | $115,860 | $138,990 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $140,720 | $98,870 | $143,020 |
| 19 | New York | $140,260 | $92,910 | $142,090 |
| 20 | Indiana | $140,030 | $107,050 | $144,290 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $139,830 | $115,820 | $139,550 |
| 22 | Nevada | $139,530 | $104,000 | $140,030 |
| 23 | Idaho | $139,410 | $102,180 | $144,900 |
| 24 | Connecticut | $139,150 | $106,660 | $141,290 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $138,740 | $112,750 | $138,160 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $138,660 | $113,710 | $138,170 |
| 27 | Maine | $138,430 | $101,360 | $140,930 |
| 28 | Iowa | $138,340 | $117,450 | $138,860 |
| 29 | Utah | $138,140 | $70,260 | $144,240 |
| 30 | Illinois | $138,070 | $98,970 | $139,080 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $137,990 | $101,670 | $138,860 |
| 32 | Texas | $137,510 | $95,950 | $138,260 |
| 33 | Montana | $137,160 | $98,660 | $142,080 |
| 34 | North Dakota | $137,110 | $105,490 | $142,040 |
| 35 | Missouri | $137,030 | $107,530 | $137,610 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $136,730 | $82,430 | $135,700 |
| 37 | Georgia | $136,660 | $100,950 | $137,120 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $136,480 | $84,280 | $136,530 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $136,260 | $84,990 | $139,330 |
| 40 | Kansas | $136,170 | $78,770 | $137,800 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $135,780 | $105,560 | $136,060 |
| 42 | Michigan | $135,380 | $101,740 | $137,860 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $133,630 | $100,320 | $135,140 |
| 44 | Alabama | $132,750 | $90,010 | $134,630 |
| 45 | Ohio | $132,420 | $65,470 | $137,020 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $131,300 | $80,900 | $133,430 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $131,270 | $88,700 | $133,390 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $130,490 | $100,920 | $132,410 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $130,320 | $97,260 | $133,230 |
| 50 | Florida | $130,190 | $56,000 | $135,970 |
| 51 | Rhode Island | $123,300 | $86,650 | $128,180 |
| — | National | $140,920 | $99,290 | $140,910 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Pharmacists (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Pharmacist Salary by Setting
Where you work matters as much as where you live. Hospital pharmacists generally earn more than retail counterparts and often enjoy more predictable schedules, while pharmaceutical industry roles and nuclear pharmacy positions command the highest pay. Retail pharmacy — the most common setting — offers competitive base salaries but comes with longer hours, weekend shifts, and higher burnout rates.
| Work Setting | Average Salary | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital (inpatient) | $135,000 | Shifts |
| Nuclear pharmacy | $145,000 | M-F |
| Oncology pharmacy | $140,000 | M-F |
| Retail (CVS, Walgreens) | $125,000 | Varied |
| Mail order | $130,000 | M-F |
| Long-term care | $128,000 | M-F |
| Pharmaceutical industry | $145,000+ | M-F |
| Government/VA | $128,000 | M-F |
| Independent pharmacy | $115,000 | Varied |
Pharmacist Salary by Specialty
Specializing after your PharmD can add $10,000–$20,000 to your salary, though it usually requires a 1–2 year residency. Nuclear pharmacy and pharmacy management sit at the top of the pay scale, while informatics is a growing field for pharmacists who prefer technology over direct patient care.
| Specialty | Average Salary | Additional Training |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Pharmacist | $145,000 | Certification |
| Oncology Pharmacist | $140,000 | 1-2 year residency |
| Clinical Pharmacist | $135,000 | 1-2 year residency |
| Critical Care | $138,000 | 2 year residency |
| Ambulatory Care | $130,000 | 1-2 year residency |
| Informatics | $135,000 | Certification |
| Pharmacy Manager | $145,000 | Experience |
| Staff Pharmacist | $125,000 | PharmD only |
Pharmacist vs. Other Healthcare Careers
| Career | Average Salary | Education Required |
|---|---|---|
| Physician | $229,000+ | MD + Residency (11+ years) |
| Pharmacist | $128,570 | PharmD (6-8 years) |
| Nurse Practitioner | $121,000 | MSN (6+ years) |
| Physician Assistant | $121,000 | Master’s (6+ years) |
| Physical Therapist | $95,000 | DPT (6-7 years) |
| Registered Nurse | $77,600 | BSN (4 years) |
Pharmacist Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| New Grad (0-1 year) | $110,000-$120,000 |
| Early Career (1-4 years) | $120,000-$130,000 |
| Mid-Career (5-9 years) | $128,000-$140,000 |
| Experienced (10-19 years) | $135,000-$150,000 |
| Late Career (20+ years) | $140,000-$160,000 |
Pharmacy Manager Salary
| Setting | Manager Salary | vs. Staff |
|---|---|---|
| Retail chain | $145,000-$165,000 | +15-25% |
| Hospital | $150,000-$180,000 | +15-30% |
| Independent | $130,000-$150,000 | +10-20% |
Cost of Becoming a Pharmacist
The financial barrier to entry is significant. A PharmD requires 6–8 years of education with total costs often exceeding $200,000. Most pharmacists graduate with around $165,000 in student debt — a figure that should factor heavily into any ROI calculation against the $128,000 average salary.
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pre-pharmacy (2-4 years) | $20,000-$100,000 |
| PharmD program (4 years) | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Total education cost | $170,000-$350,000 |
| Typical student debt | $165,000 |
| Time to complete | 6-8 years |
Pharmacist Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Income Tax | Social Security + Medicare | Take-Home Before State Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $115,000 | $16,470 | $8,798 | $89,732 | $7,478 |
| $140,920 | $22,555 | $10,780 | $107,585 | $8,965 |
| $145,000 | $23,534 | $11,092 | $110,374 | $9,198 |
| $162,000 | $27,614 | $12,393 | $121,993 | $10,166 |
2026 federal income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction ($16,100), plus Social Security and Medicare. Not included: state and local income tax, retirement contributions and other pre-tax deductions. For your own situation, use the take-home pay calculator.
Job Outlook for Pharmacists
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Job growth (2025-2035) | 5.2% |
| Annual openings | ~13,400 |
| Current employment | 323,000 |
| Competition | Moderate to high |
The pharmacy job market is more competitive than it was a decade ago due to pharmacy school expansion.
Is Pharmacy a Good Career?
Pros:
- High salary ($128,000+ average)
- Job stability
- Multiple career paths
- Respected profession
- No residency required (for retail)
Cons:
- High student debt ($165,000 average)
- Standing for long hours (retail)
- Weekend/holiday work (retail)
- Declining autonomy in retail
- Job market saturation
Bottom Line
Pharmacists earn $140,920 on average, with experienced professionals in California or specialty roles earning $145,000-$165,000. The profession offers excellent pay but requires a PharmD degree and often comes with significant student debt. Hospital and specialty pharmacy generally offer better work-life balance than retail.
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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