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Pharmacist: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $99,290lowest 10% earn less
- $129,38025th percentile
- $140,910median
- $161,84075th percentile
- $174,230top 10% earn more
Pharmacists earn a median of $140,910 a year, more than twice the typical pay across all US jobs[1][2]. Getting there typically takes a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and a state license, and jobs are projected to grow a bit faster than average[3][4][5].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +5.2%[4]
- Openings per year
- 12,500[7]
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree[8]
How much do pharmacists make?
Pharmacists in the US had a median wage of $140,910 a year, or $67.75 an hour, in May 2025[1]. That means half earned more and half earned less. The average (mean) wage was almost the same at $140,920 a year[9].
That is more than twice the median for all US occupations, which was $50,980[1][2].
Pay is fairly tightly grouped for this job. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $99,290 a year, and the top 10% earned more than $174,230[6]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[10].
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $99,290 | $47.73 |
| 25th | $129,380 | $62.20 |
| Median | $140,910 | $67.75 |
| 75th | $161,840 | $77.81 |
| 90th | $174,230 | $83.77 |
Sources for the table:[1][6][11].
About 321,970 people held wage and salary jobs as pharmacists in May 2025[12]. These wage figures cover full-time and part-time employees. They leave out self-employed workers, nonproduction bonuses and what employers spend on benefits like health coverage or retirement plans[13].
Pay by state and city
Alaska had the highest state median for pharmacists at $167,310, followed by Oregon at $165,960, California at $164,610, Hawaii at $163,220 and Washington at $160,610[14]. Rhode Island had the lowest median among the published states, at $128,180[14].
California had the most jobs, 34,030, followed by Texas with 24,700, Florida 21,540, New York 19,760 and Pennsylvania 14,090[15].
Among metro areas with at least 100 pharmacist jobs, the seven best-paying on the list are all in California[16]. Napa led at $200,580, then San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $199,040 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $177,410[16]. Corvallis, OR came eighth at $170,470[16].
The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs of any metro, 20,000, with a median of $141,320[17]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim came next with 12,450 jobs and a median of $157,440[17].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska[14] | $167,310 | 560 |
| Oregon | $165,960 | 3,250 |
| California | $164,610 | 34,030 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 | 1,190 |
| Washington | $160,610 | 7,350 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 | 6,310 |
| Colorado | $156,030 | 4,560 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 | 850 |
| Delaware | $152,880 | 790 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 | 5,730 |
| New Mexico | $147,000 | 1,730 |
| Arizona | $146,930 | 6,900 |
| South Dakota | $146,790 | 1,280 |
| Idaho | $144,900 | 1,790 |
| Indiana | $144,290 | 6,430 |
| Utah | $144,240 | 2,830 |
| Virginia | $144,060 | 7,980 |
| New Hampshire | $143,020 | 1,130 |
| New York | $142,090 | 19,760 |
| Montana | $142,080 | 1,190 |
| North Dakota | $142,040 | 1,070 |
| Connecticut | $141,290 | 3,490 |
| Maine | $140,930 | 1,380 |
| Nevada | $140,030 | 2,500 |
| Wyoming | $139,550 | 510 |
| Nebraska | $139,330 | 2,450 |
| Illinois | $139,080 | 12,070 |
| Maryland | $138,990 | 5,400 |
| Iowa | $138,860 | 3,230 |
| North Carolina | $138,860 | 11,430 |
| Texas | $138,260 | 24,700 |
| Massachusetts | $138,170 | 7,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $138,160 | 14,090 |
| Michigan | $137,860 | 8,780 |
| Kansas | $137,800 | 3,500 |
| New Jersey | $137,620 | 9,420 |
| Missouri | $137,610 | 6,740 |
| Georgia | $137,120 | 10,530 |
| Ohio | $137,020 | 12,790 |
| Kentucky | $136,530 | 5,030 |
| Vermont | $136,270 | 530 |
| Arkansas | $136,060 | 2,900 |
| Florida | $135,970 | 21,540 |
| South Carolina | $135,700 | 5,320 |
| Oklahoma | $135,140 | 3,610 |
| Alabama | $134,630 | 5,400 |
| West Virginia | $133,430 | 2,260 |
| Tennessee | $133,390 | 8,250 |
| Mississippi | $133,230 | 3,050 |
| Louisiana | $132,410 | 5,610 |
| Rhode Island | $128,180 | 1,510 |
How to become a pharmacist
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the usual entry education, with no related work experience or on-the-job training needed on top of it[8]. For a pharmacist, that degree is typically a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an accredited program[3][18].
- Step one: take the prerequisite courses. Admission rules differ by school. Programs usually want at least 2 years of undergraduate prerequisites in subjects like anatomy and physiology, physics and statistics[19]. Some prefer or require a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or another science or health field[19].
- Step two: earn a Pharm.D. Programs usually last 4 years, and a few offer a 3-year track[20]. Some take students straight from high school into a 6-year program[20]. Coursework covers science, pharmacology and pharmacy law, and students also do supervised work, often called internships, in places like hospitals and retail pharmacies[20].
- Step three: get licensed. Every state licenses pharmacists, and the rules differ from state to state[21]. After graduating, candidates typically pass two exams and complete the number of intern hours their state sets[21].
- Step four: consider a residency (optional). Pharmacists aiming for clinical or other advanced roles may do a residency or fellowship, usually 1 to 2 years long[22]. A 2-year residency focuses on a specialty such as cardiology, internal medicine or pediatric care[22].
- Step five: keep your license current. Licensed pharmacists must take continuing education[21]. In most states they also need a certification before they can give vaccinations[23].
Some programs let students earn a second graduate degree, such as an MBA or a master's in public health, alongside the Pharm.D.[24]. Later, pharmacists can seek specialty certification in areas like oncology or emergency care, which usually requires work experience and an exam[25].
In an ONET survey of 21 pharmacists, 78% said a doctoral degree is needed for the job, 11% said a bachelor's degree and 5% said post-doctoral training[26]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Five, its group for occupations that need extensive preparation[27].
BLS points to a few personal strengths that help: careful analysis of each medication's contents and side effects, clear communication with patients and staff, and compassion for people dealing with health problems[28][29][30].
What pharmacists do
Pharmacists fill prescriptions from doctors and other health practitioners and teach patients how to use their medications[31]. They may also help doctors pick drugs and doses and flag interactions or side effects[31]. Common tasks include[32]:
- Checking each prescription for accuracy, figuring out the ingredients and making sure it suits the patient
- Working with other health professionals to judge how well a drug or treatment plan is working
- Explaining drug interactions, side effects, dosing and how to store medicine
- Helping patients manage conditions like diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure, or quit smoking
- Watching prescribing patterns to catch overuse, missed doses or harmful drug combinations
- Keeping records such as patient profiles, inventories and logs of controlled drugs
- Preparing sterile solutions and infusions for surgery, emergency rooms or home care
- Mixing and measuring medications, or supervising the people who do
Job titles reported to O*NET include clinical pharmacist, community pharmacist, hospital pharmacist and pharmacy informaticist[33].
Where they work
Pharmacies and drug retailers were the largest employer, with 37% of pharmacists in 2025[34]. Others work in hospitals, clinics or health maintenance organizations, where they may act as a consultant to the medical team or focus on an area like oncology[32].
Pharmacists work closely with physicians and surgeons, physician assistants and nurse practitioners on patient care[35]. They are on their feet for much of the day[36]. The work can involve contact with harmful substances, and lab coats, gloves and safety rules lower that risk[36].
Most pharmacists work full time[37]. In hospitals and other places that never close, the schedule may include nights, weekends and holidays[37]. Very few are their own boss: 0.3% were self-employed in 2025[38].
Job outlook
BLS expects the number of pharmacist jobs to rise by 5.2% between 2025 and 2035, to about 342,300 from roughly 325,200[4]. That is faster than the 3.5% growth projected for all occupations[5]. The projection counts include self-employed workers, which is one reason they differ from the 321,970 wage and salary jobs counted in May 2025[12][4].
About 12,500 openings are expected each year, on average, over that decade[7]. Openings include jobs that free up when workers retire or change careers, not only new positions[7]. Each year about 2.1% of pharmacists leave the labor force and 1.1% switch to another occupation[39].
Is it a good fit?
The facts point to high pay. The median is $140,910 a year, and the 10th percentile boundary was $99,290[1][6]. The trade-off is a long path: a Pharm.D., usually after at least 2 years of college prerequisites, plus licensing exams and intern hours[19][20][21]. Job growth of 5.2% from 2025 to 2035 is modest but above the all-occupations rate, with about 12,500 openings a year[4][5][7]. It may suit someone who wants a well-paid health job with patient contact and is ready to commit to doctoral-level schooling[8][29].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a pharmacist make an hour?
- The median hourly wage was $67.75 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $47.73 an hour and the top 10% more than $83.77[11].
- How long does it take to become a pharmacist?
- Pharm.D. programs usually take 4 years, and some offer a 3-year option[20]. Programs typically want at least 2 years of undergraduate prerequisites[19]. Some 6-year programs admit students right out of high school[20]. An optional residency adds 1 to 2 years[22].
- What degree do you need to be a pharmacist?
- You typically need a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an accredited program, and every state also requires a license[3].
- Are pharmacists in demand?
- Jobs are projected to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 12,500 openings a year[4][5][7].
- What is the highest paying state for pharmacists?
- Alaska had the highest state median at $167,310, followed by Oregon at $165,960 and California at $164,610[14].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Pharmacists in the US was $140,910 per year and $67.75 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Pharmacists is projected to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 325,200 to 342,300 jobs (a change of +17,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Pharmacists: 10th percentile $99,290, 25th percentile $129,380, 75th percentile $161,840, 90th percentile $174,230. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 12,500 openings for Pharmacists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Pharmacists: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Pharmacists was $140,920 per year and $67.75 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Pharmacists: 10th percentile $47.73, 25th percentile $62.20, 75th percentile $77.81, 90th percentile $83.77. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 321,970 people were employed as Pharmacists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Pharmacists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Pharmacists jobs: California 34,030; Texas 24,700; Florida 21,540; New York 19,760; Pennsylvania 14,090. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Pharmacists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Napa, CA $200,580; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $199,040; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $177,410; San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $172,860; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $172,680; Vallejo, CA $170,870; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $170,570; Corvallis, OR $170,470. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Pharmacists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 20,000 (median $141,320); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 12,450 (median $157,440); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 8,930 (median $140,880); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 7,230 (median $138,170); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 6,460 (median $148,740); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 6,410 (median $140,470). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 29-1051.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 78%, Bachelor's Degree 11%, Post-Doctoral Training 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 29-1051.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Pharmacists. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Pharmacists. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 29-1051.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Clinical Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS), Community Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacist, Inpatient Pharmacist, Pharm D (Pharmacy Doctor), Pharmacy Informaticist, Pharmacy Services Clinical Coordinator. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of pharmacists in 2025: Pharmacies and drug retailers 37%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 0.3% of Pharmacists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Pharmacists: 2.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 1.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.