How Much Does a Pharmacist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$140,910
Pharmacists in the U.S. earn a median of $140,910 a year, or $67.75 an hour. Half of pharmacists earn more than $140,910 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $174,230.
Pay percentiles for pharmacists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47.73 | $99,290 |
| 25th | $62.20 | $129,380 |
| 50th (median) | $67.75 | $140,910 |
| 75th | $77.81 | $161,840 |
| 90th | $83.77 | $174,230 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 | $80.44 | +19% |
| Oregon | $165,960 | $79.79 | +18% |
| California | $164,610 | $79.14 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $163,220 | $78.47 | +16% |
| Washington | $160,610 | $77.22 | +14% |
| Minnesota | $159,740 | $76.80 | +13% |
| Colorado | $156,030 | $75.01 | +11% |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 | $73.75 | +9% |
| Delaware | $152,880 | $73.50 | +8% |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 | $71.51 | +6% |
| United States | $140,910 | $67.75 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many pharmacists are there?
BLS counts about 321,970 pharmacists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (34,030), Texas (24,700) and Florida (21,540).
The mean (average) annual wage is $140,920, higher than the median of $140,910.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $11,743
- Biweekly
- $5,420
- Weekly
- $2,710
- Daily (8 hours)
- $542
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do pharmacists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for pharmacists is $67.75. The middle 50% earn between $62.20 and $77.81 an hour.
Which state pays pharmacists the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage for pharmacists at $167,310, +19% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for pharmacists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of pharmacists earn less than $99,290 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.