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 | 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 2026-08-25. Figures cover Pharmacists (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
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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