Pharmacist Salary
Pharmacists earn a median $140,910 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$140,910
$67.75 per hour
Range
$99,290 – $174,230
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
321,970
across the U.S.
▲2.5%
Pay trend: The median for pharmacists in the U.S. rose from $137,480 (May 2024) to $140,910 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What pharmacists do
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.2% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 12,500
Employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 12,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Pharmacist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$107,578
per year · effective tax rate 23.7%
$8,965Monthly
$4,482Twice a month
$4,138Every 2 weeks
$51.72Hourly
- Federal income tax$22,552
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,736
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,043
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$107,578
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,290 | $47.74 | $78,681 |
| 25th percentile | $129,380 | $62.20 | $99,697 |
| Median (50th) | $140,910 | $67.75 | $107,578 |
| 75th percentile | $161,840 | $77.81 | $121,884 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,230 | $83.76 | $130,352 |
Best cities for pharmacists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte, NC | $150,580 | $108,688 | $111,649 | 2,530 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $140,690 | $104,341 | $111,092 | 2,860 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $162,870 | $122,588 | $110,307 | 4,440 |
| 4 | Nashville, TN | $137,590 | $105,309 | $109,312 | 2,630 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $139,460 | $100,970 | $109,106 | 2,640 |
| 6 | Cincinnati, OH | $140,200 | $104,020 | $109,069 | 2,380 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $140,470 | $107,277 | $108,768 | 6,410 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $157,890 | $112,945 | $106,772 | 2,630 |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $160,990 | $111,498 | $106,369 | 4,160 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $148,740 | $108,363 | $105,665 | 6,460 |
| 11 | St. Louis, MO | $138,530 | $100,378 | $105,563 | 2,910 |
| 12 | Columbus, OH | $133,960 | $99,926 | $104,669 | 2,610 |
| 13 | Tampa, FL | $137,990 | $105,582 | $104,651 | 3,460 |
| 14 | Pittsburgh, PA | $134,180 | $98,859 | $104,423 | 3,300 |
| 15 | Phoenix, AZ | $144,490 | $106,621 | $103,199 | 5,050 |
| 16 | Dallas, TX | $138,170 | $105,705 | $102,537 | 7,230 |
| 17 | Riverside, CA | $161,870 | $108,976 | $102,380 | 3,400 |
| 18 | Orlando, FL | $135,010 | $103,545 | $102,098 | 2,900 |
| 19 | San Francisco, CA | $177,410 | $117,950 | $102,021 | 3,670 |
| 20 | Atlanta, GA | $139,870 | $100,231 | $100,173 | 6,120 |
| 21 | Detroit, MI | $137,770 | $99,827 | $99,531 | 4,280 |
| 22 | San Diego, CA | $165,130 | $110,858 | $99,080 | 2,840 |
| 23 | Chicago, IL | $140,880 | $100,729 | $97,233 | 8,930 |
| 24 | Washington, DC | $150,540 | $104,333 | $95,820 | 5,260 |
| 25 | Baltimore, MD | $138,110 | $99,372 | $95,105 | 2,730 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Francisco, CA — $177,410
- San Diego, CA — $165,130
- Seattle, WA — $162,870
- Riverside, CA — $161,870
- Minneapolis, MN — $160,990
- Denver, CO — $157,890
- Los Angeles, CA — $157,440
- Charlotte, NC — $150,580
- Washington, DC — $150,540
- Philadelphia, PA — $148,740
- Phoenix, AZ — $144,490
- New York, NY — $141,320
- Chicago, IL — $140,880
- Cleveland, OH — $140,690
- Houston, TX — $140,470
Pharmacist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 | +2.5% | $125,622 | $133,830 – $196,020 | 560 |
| Oregon | $165,960 | +1.7% | $110,570 | $126,040 – $193,860 | 3,250 |
| California | $164,610 | −0.3% | $110,558 | $90,560 – $213,820 | 34,030 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 | +8.3% | $111,854 | $127,410 – $177,290 | 1,190 |
| Washington | $160,610 | +2.3% | $121,043 | $126,230 – $205,210 | 7,350 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 | +3.3% | $110,742 | $98,150 – $174,660 | 6,310 |
| Colorado | $156,030 | +2.9% | $111,756 | $120,410 – $188,430 | 4,560 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 | +8.4% | $106,044 | $64,870 – $196,080 | 850 |
| Delaware | $152,880 | +8.8% | $107,010 | $103,170 – $178,760 | 790 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 | +5.9% | $106,427 | $112,020 – $178,090 | 5,730 |
| New Mexico | $147,000 | +6.8% | $105,868 | $103,500 – $174,200 | 1,730 |
| Arizona | $146,930 | +6.4% | $108,228 | $103,490 – $171,660 | 6,900 |
| South Dakota | $146,790 | +4.7% | $111,597 | $112,200 – $166,340 | 1,280 |
| Idaho | $144,900 | +4.6% | $103,734 | $102,180 – $164,050 | 1,790 |
| Indiana | $144,290 | +4.0% | $105,661 | $107,050 – $169,360 | 6,430 |
| Utah | $144,240 | +5.9% | $104,329 | $70,260 – $172,440 | 2,830 |
| Virginia | $144,060 | +4.8% | $102,262 | $106,800 – $173,550 | 7,980 |
| New Hampshire | $143,020 | +1.1% | $109,020 | $98,870 – $170,030 | 1,130 |
| New York | $142,090 | +4.2% | $101,041 | $92,910 – $174,550 | 19,760 |
| Montana | $142,080 | +3.5% | $101,711 | $98,660 – $165,260 | 1,190 |
| North Dakota | $142,040 | +4.8% | $106,840 | $105,490 – $167,940 | 1,070 |
| Connecticut | $141,290 | +4.4% | $101,510 | $106,660 – $165,360 | 3,490 |
| Maine | $140,930 | +2.9% | $99,011 | $101,360 – $166,810 | 1,380 |
| Nevada | $140,030 | +1.0% | $106,977 | $104,000 – $168,600 | 2,500 |
| Wyoming | $139,550 | +1.5% | $106,648 | $115,820 – $168,450 | 510 |
| Nebraska | $139,330 | +4.5% | $101,038 | $84,990 – $170,090 | 2,450 |
| Illinois | $139,080 | +2.4% | $99,588 | $98,970 – $169,430 | 12,070 |
| Maryland | $138,990 | +2.5% | $99,928 | $115,860 – $169,890 | 5,400 |
| Iowa | $138,860 | +4.2% | $101,552 | $117,450 – $164,520 | 3,230 |
| North Carolina | $138,860 | +2.1% | $101,145 | $101,670 – $169,820 | 11,430 |
| Texas | $138,260 | +1.0% | $105,767 | $95,950 – $170,170 | 24,700 |
| Massachusetts | $138,170 | +1.6% | $99,017 | $113,710 – $164,500 | 7,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $138,160 | +1.7% | $101,457 | $112,750 – $163,570 | 14,090 |
| Michigan | $137,860 | +1.3% | $99,885 | $101,740 – $168,540 | 8,780 |
| Kansas | $137,800 | +2.6% | $98,563 | $78,770 – $169,310 | 3,500 |
| New Jersey | $137,620 | +3.9% | $98,753 | $112,560 – $172,110 | 9,420 |
| Missouri | $137,610 | −0.2% | $99,792 | $107,530 – $166,840 | 6,740 |
| Georgia | $137,120 | +3.6% | $98,494 | $100,950 – $170,110 | 10,530 |
| Ohio | $137,020 | +1.9% | $101,933 | $65,470 – $165,900 | 12,790 |
| Kentucky | $136,530 | +2.8% | $99,923 | $84,280 – $168,940 | 5,030 |
| Vermont | $136,270 | +1.1% | $97,837 | $117,860 – $164,370 | 530 |
| Arkansas | $136,060 | +1.4% | $99,169 | $105,560 – $164,940 | 2,900 |
| Florida | $135,970 | +0.4% | $104,201 | $56,000 – $166,310 | 21,540 |
| South Carolina | $135,700 | −0.1% | $97,032 | $82,430 – $170,270 | 5,320 |
| Oklahoma | $135,140 | +2.1% | $98,098 | $100,320 – $162,070 | 3,610 |
| Alabama | $134,630 | +0.5% | $96,819 | $90,010 – $161,940 | 5,400 |
| West Virginia | $133,430 | −0.4% | $96,969 | $80,900 – $166,020 | 2,260 |
| Tennessee | $133,390 | +1.6% | $102,438 | $88,700 – $164,430 | 8,250 |
| Mississippi | $133,230 | +0.6% | $97,732 | $97,260 – $158,230 | 3,050 |
| Louisiana | $132,410 | +2.1% | $98,182 | $100,920 – $156,740 | 5,610 |
| Rhode Island | $128,180 | +0.1% | $94,390 | $86,650 – $161,090 | 1,510 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $136,570 | Doctoral or professional degree | +9.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree | +21.1% |
| Nurse Midwive | $134,040 | Master's degree | +11.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree | +41.0% |
| Veterinarian | $130,100 | Doctoral or professional degree | +9.4% |
| Podiatrist | $160,300 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $115,210 | Master's degree | +5.5% |
| Dentists, General | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.7% |
| Radiation Therapist | $105,310 | Associate's degree | +2.8% |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make?
The national median salary for pharmacists is $140,910 a year ($67.75 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $99,290 and the top 10% earn over $174,230. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays pharmacists the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $167,310. After taxes and local prices, Charlotte, NC offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many pharmacists are there in the U.S.?
About 321,970 people work as pharmacists nationwide.
All 29 cities
- Atlanta, GA
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Kansas City, MO
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Riverside, CA
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Washington, DC