Pharmacist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Pharmacists Make?
Pharmacists earn a median annual salary of $137,480 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $86,930 at the 10th percentile to $172,040 at the 90th percentile — a range of $85,110. The highest-paying state is California at $165,150.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $86,930 |
| 25th percentile | $127,250 |
| Median (50th) | $137,480 |
| 75th percentile | $158,620 |
| 90th percentile | $172,040 |
Pharmacist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $165,150 |
| Alaska | $163,200 |
| Oregon | $163,120 |
| Washington | $157,020 |
| Minnesota | $154,610 |
| Colorado | $151,680 |
| Hawaii | $150,710 |
| District of Columbia | $141,560 |
| New Hampshire | $141,480 |
| Delaware | $140,470 |
| Wisconsin | $140,410 |
| South Dakota | $140,190 |
| Indiana | $138,690 |
| Nevada | $138,650 |
| Idaho | $138,580 |
| Arizona | $138,080 |
| Missouri | $137,910 |
| New Mexico | $137,600 |
| Virginia | $137,470 |
| Wyoming | $137,470 |
| Montana | $137,230 |
| Maine | $136,970 |
| Texas | $136,950 |
| New York | $136,350 |
| Utah | $136,230 |
| Michigan | $136,070 |
| Massachusetts | $136,030 |
| North Carolina | $136,000 |
| South Carolina | $135,900 |
| Illinois | $135,880 |
| Pennsylvania | $135,830 |
| North Dakota | $135,570 |
| Maryland | $135,550 |
| Florida | $135,460 |
| Connecticut | $135,340 |
| Vermont | $134,780 |
| Ohio | $134,440 |
| Kansas | $134,350 |
| Arkansas | $134,230 |
| Alabama | $133,930 |
| West Virginia | $133,910 |
| Nebraska | $133,340 |
| Iowa | $133,220 |
| Kentucky | $132,750 |
| New Jersey | $132,510 |
| Mississippi | $132,420 |
| Georgia | $132,400 |
| Oklahoma | $132,360 |
| Tennessee | $131,290 |
| Louisiana | $129,650 |
| Rhode Island | $128,010 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Pharmacists
Pharmacist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$86,930 – $127,250 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$137,480 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$158,620 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $172,040+ |
How to Earn More as a Pharmacist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Pharmacists in Napa, CA earn $203,950 — $66,470 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($158,620) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Pharmacist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Pharmacistthis career | $137,480 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,260 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | $133,260 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 |
| Acute Care Nurse | $93,600 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 29-1051.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.