How much does a pharmacist make?
Answer: A typical pharmacist in the United States makes $140,910 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 322,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Pharmacist pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| 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 |
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.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a pharmacist 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.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)
Good for people who like figuring things out and helping and teaching.
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.
What about Japan?
Same jobThe US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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