Pharmacists Salary in U.S. (2024)
The median pay for a pharmacists in U.S. is $137,480/year ($66.1/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $87K at the entry level to $172K for experienced workers.
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $137K get you in U.S.?
About pharmacists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level pharmacists (10th percentile) start around $87K. Mid-career wages sit at $137K.Top earners bring in $172K or more - a $85K spread from bottom to top.
Pharmacists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $165K | +20% | 34,490 |
| Alaska | $163K | +19% | 510 |
| Oregon | $163K | +19% | 3,660 |
| Washington | $157K | +14% | 7,940 |
| Minnesota | $155K | +12% | 6,010 |
| Hawaii | $151K | +10% | 1,310 |
| District of Columbia | $142K | +3% | 820 |
| New Hampshire | $141K | +3% | 1,090 |
| Delaware | $140K | +2% | 790 |
| Wisconsin | $140K | +2% | 4,940 |
| South Dakota | $140K | +2% | 1,290 |
| Indiana | $139K | +1% | 6,200 |
| Nevada | $139K | +1% | 2,330 |
| Idaho | $139K | +1% | 1,750 |
| Arizona | $138K | +0% | 7,690 |
Track pharmacists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do pharmacists make in U.S.?
The median is $137,480 a year - that works out to about $66.1 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $86,930, and experienced pharmacists can clear $172,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $137K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,727/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 16.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a pharmacists salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median pharmacists salary is worth about $137,480 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do pharmacists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.