How much does a pharmacist make?
a year · about $68 an hour
A typical pharmacist in the United States makes $140,910 a year, about $68 an hour, about 2.8× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
At a pharmacy, they check each prescription, the dose, allergies, and possible drug interactions, then explain how to take the medicine and its side effects. They may give vaccines, answer health questions, and sort out insurance issues.
Did you know? Some U.S. pharmacists work at poison centers, giving urgent advice by phone and helping spot dangerous exposure trends in their communities.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $99,290 and $174,230How do you become one?
Complete at least two years of college prerequisites, then earn a Pharm.D., usually in a four-year program. Finish state-required supervised intern hours and pass the required licensing exams; many pharmacists start in their mid-20s, though paths vary.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like figuring things out and helping and teaching
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can vary with experience, extra credentials or specialty training, location, and whether someone works in a hospital, clinic, or retail pharmacy. Work hours and shifts matter too; some hospital pharmacists cover nights, weekends, or holidays, and every state requires a license.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Alaska ($167,310), lowest in Rhode Island ($128,180).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Kids' questions
In Japan, a pharmacist averages $37,786. Pharmacist salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $99,290 | $140,910 | $174,230 | about 322,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 | about 560 |
| Oregon | $165,960 | about 3,000 |
| California | $164,610 | about 34,000 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $160,610 | about 7,000 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1051.00
- nabp.pharmacy/programs/examinations/naplex/
- news.ashp.org/news/ashp-news/2024/03/19/pharmacists-are-the-heart-of-poison-cent
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY