Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051) employed 321,970 people in May 2025. The median pay is $140,910 a year ($67.75 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $99,290 and the highest-paid 10% more than $174,230. BLS projects its employment to change by +5.2% between 2025 and 2035 (about 12,500 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest median pay: Alaska ($167,310), Oregon ($165,960), California ($164,610). Most jobs: California (34,030), Texas (24,700), Florida (21,540).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| 25th percentile | $129,380 | $62.20 |
| Median | $140,910 | $67.75 |
| Mean | $140,920 | $67.75 |
| 75th percentile | $161,840 | $77.81 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $174,230 | $83.76 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 325,200 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 342,300 |
| Change in jobs | 17,100 |
| Percent change | +5.2% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 12,500 |
| Self-employed share | 0.3% |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5,400 | 1.23 | $134,630 | $90,010 | $161,940 | -4% | 10% |
| Alaska | 560 | 0.84 | $167,310 | $133,830 | $196,020 | +19% | 10% |
| Arizona | 6,900 | 1.03 | $146,930 | $103,490 | $171,660 | +4% | 14% |
| Arkansas | 2,900 | 1.07 | $136,060 | $105,560 | $164,940 | -3% | 9% |
| California | 34,030 | 0.90 | $164,610 | $90,560 | $213,820 | +17% | 15% |
| Colorado | 4,560 | 0.77 | $156,030 | $120,410 | $188,430 | +11% | 14% |
| Connecticut | 3,490 | 0.99 | $141,290 | $106,660 | $165,360 | +0% | 13% |
| Delaware | 790 | 0.79 | $152,880 | $103,170 | $178,760 | +8% | 12% |
| District of Columbia | 850 | 0.58 | $153,400 | $64,870 | $196,080 | +9% | 15% |
| Florida | 21,540 | 1.05 | $135,970 | $56,000 | $166,310 | -4% | 16% |
| Georgia | 10,530 | 1.04 | $137,120 | $100,950 | $170,110 | -3% | 13% |
| Hawaii | 1,190 | 0.91 | $163,220 | $127,410 | $177,290 | +16% | 14% |
| Idaho | 1,790 | 1.01 | $144,900 | $102,180 | $164,050 | +3% | 11% |
| Illinois | 12,070 | 0.96 | $139,080 | $98,970 | $169,430 | -1% | 11% |
| Indiana | 6,430 | 0.97 | $144,290 | $107,050 | $169,360 | +2% | 9% |
| Iowa | 3,230 | 1.00 | $138,860 | $117,450 | $164,520 | -1% | 8% |
| Kansas | 3,500 | 1.18 | $137,800 | $78,770 | $169,310 | -2% | 9% |
| Kentucky | 5,030 | 1.21 | $136,530 | $84,280 | $168,940 | -3% | 9% |
| Louisiana | 5,610 | 1.40 | $132,410 | $100,920 | $156,740 | -6% | 10% |
| Maine | 1,380 | 1.04 | $140,930 | $101,360 | $166,810 | +0% | 10% |
| Maryland | 5,400 | 0.94 | $138,990 | $115,860 | $169,890 | -1% | 15% |
| Massachusetts | 7,230 | 0.96 | $138,170 | $113,710 | $164,500 | -2% | 16% |
| Michigan | 8,780 | 0.96 | $137,860 | $101,740 | $168,540 | -2% | 10% |
| Minnesota | 6,310 | 1.03 | $159,740 | $98,150 | $174,660 | +13% | 10% |
| Mississippi | 3,050 | 1.27 | $133,230 | $97,260 | $158,230 | -5% | 9% |
| Missouri | 6,740 | 1.11 | $137,610 | $107,530 | $166,840 | -2% | 9% |
| Montana | 1,190 | 1.12 | $142,080 | $98,660 | $165,260 | +1% | 10% |
| Nebraska | 2,450 | 1.16 | $139,330 | $84,990 | $170,090 | -1% | 9% |
| Nevada | 2,500 | 0.78 | $140,030 | $104,000 | $168,600 | -1% | 15% |
| New Hampshire | 1,130 | 0.80 | $143,020 | $98,870 | $170,030 | +1% | 13% |
| New Jersey | 9,420 | 1.06 | $137,620 | $112,560 | $172,110 | -2% | 16% |
| New Mexico | 1,730 | 0.96 | $147,000 | $103,500 | $174,200 | +4% | 9% |
| New York | 19,760 | 0.98 | $142,090 | $92,910 | $174,550 | +1% | 14% |
| North Carolina | 11,430 | 1.12 | $138,860 | $101,670 | $169,820 | -1% | 12% |
| North Dakota | 1,070 | 1.20 | $142,040 | $105,490 | $167,940 | +1% | 8% |
| Ohio | 12,790 | 1.11 | $137,020 | $65,470 | $165,900 | -3% | 10% |
| Oklahoma | 3,610 | 1.02 | $135,140 | $100,320 | $162,070 | -4% | 9% |
| Oregon | 3,250 | 0.80 | $165,960 | $126,040 | $193,860 | +18% | 12% |
| Pennsylvania | 14,090 | 1.12 | $138,160 | $112,750 | $163,570 | -2% | 11% |
| Rhode Island | 1,510 | 1.45 | $128,180 | $86,650 | $161,090 | -9% | 13% |
| South Carolina | 5,320 | 1.12 | $135,700 | $82,430 | $170,270 | -4% | 11% |
| South Dakota | 1,280 | 1.36 | $146,790 | $112,200 | $166,340 | +4% | 8% |
| Tennessee | 8,250 | 1.22 | $133,390 | $88,700 | $164,430 | -5% | 12% |
| Texas | 24,700 | 0.85 | $138,260 | $95,950 | $170,170 | -2% | 13% |
| Utah | 2,830 | 0.79 | $144,240 | $70,260 | $172,440 | +2% | 13% |
| Vermont | 530 | 0.85 | $136,270 | $117,860 | $164,370 | -3% | 12% |
| Virginia | 7,980 | 0.94 | $144,060 | $106,800 | $173,550 | +2% | 14% |
| Washington | 7,350 | 1.00 | $160,610 | $126,230 | $205,210 | +14% | 14% |
| West Virginia | 2,260 | 1.56 | $133,430 | $80,900 | $166,020 | -5% | 8% |
| Wisconsin | 5,730 | 0.94 | $148,740 | $112,020 | $178,090 | +6% | 9% |
| Wyoming | 510 | 0.89 | $139,550 | $115,820 | $168,450 | -1% | 9% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,960 | $199,040 | $151,900 | $234,080 | 0.83 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 3,670 | $177,410 | $135,580 | $229,220 | 0.75 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 2,310 | $172,680 | $104,420 | $213,820 | 1.03 |
| Vallejo, CA | 350 | $170,870 | $129,170 | $211,690 | 1.18 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 330 | $170,570 | $138,320 | $218,160 | 0.78 |
| Salem, OR | 300 | $169,210 | $129,900 | $200,000 | 0.78 |
| Fresno, CA | 890 | $169,160 | $128,300 | $211,110 | 0.90 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 2,070 | $168,830 | $127,100 | $196,500 | 0.83 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 570 | $166,350 | $120,630 | $175,870 | 1.26 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,840 | $165,130 | $131,400 | $214,480 | 0.89 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 890 | $165,090 | $127,700 | $177,290 | 0.96 |
| Rochester, MN | 440 | $164,250 | $130,710 | $177,870 | 1.74 |
| Anchorage, AK | 360 | $162,980 | $106,190 | $184,830 | 0.99 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 4,440 | $162,870 | $126,410 | $209,460 | 1.03 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 530 | $162,440 | $99,360 | $210,420 | 0.88 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 600 | $161,930 | $125,170 | $200,850 | 0.86 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 3,400 | $161,870 | $103,810 | $207,020 | 0.96 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 4,160 | $160,990 | $79,060 | $172,670 | 1.03 |
| Modesto, CA | 380 | $160,520 | $130,320 | $211,820 | 0.93 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 630 | $160,430 | $80,740 | $202,760 | 0.94 |
| Madison, WI | 1,120 | $158,120 | $112,140 | $169,980 | 1.32 |
| Visalia, CA | 310 | $158,080 | $123,380 | $192,400 | 0.86 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 2,630 | $157,890 | $122,450 | $188,490 | 0.79 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 660 | $157,440 | $111,630 | $172,570 | 0.79 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 12,450 | $157,440 | $62,800 | $209,060 | 0.96 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 310 | $155,890 | $124,820 | $181,290 | 0.95 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 710 | $155,560 | $115,850 | $177,410 | 1.33 |
| Florence, SC | 320 | $155,020 | $123,310 | $297,460 | 1.76 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 330 | $154,860 | $108,660 | $171,130 | 1.26 |
| Reno, NV | 440 | $154,380 | $126,360 | $171,220 | 0.77 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 480 | $153,610 | $85,990 | $171,380 | 1.39 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 1,760 | $153,340 | $120,600 | $180,910 | 1.04 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 430 | $152,530 | $107,790 | $165,380 | 0.92 |
| Wilmington, NC | 480 | $151,790 | $105,460 | $170,860 | 1.20 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 1,800 | $151,290 | $90,810 | $172,490 | 0.67 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 2,220 | $151,050 | $111,950 | $170,110 | 0.97 |
| Boise City, ID | 830 | $150,710 | $77,180 | $164,660 | 1.03 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 2,530 | $150,580 | $91,770 | $173,930 | 0.90 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 5,260 | $150,540 | $121,420 | $179,230 | 0.81 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 2,260 | $150,500 | $96,670 | $167,100 | 0.97 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 350 | $149,790 | $105,270 | $170,790 | 1.13 |
| Lincoln, NE | 370 | $149,590 | $123,390 | $163,360 | 0.99 |
| Syracuse, NY | 740 | $149,510 | $114,060 | $171,850 | 1.18 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 6,460 | $148,740 | $119,840 | $167,270 | 1.08 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 690 | $148,330 | $123,700 | $174,070 | 1.85 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,010 | $147,420 | $72,760 | $175,370 | 1.25 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 1,520 | $147,010 | $66,360 | $173,130 | 0.89 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 1,000 | $147,000 | $104,180 | $178,900 | 1.19 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 920 | $145,950 | $112,460 | $167,920 | 1.12 |
| Lubbock, TX | 370 | $145,890 | $106,660 | $179,300 | 1.07 |
| Richmond, VA | 1,350 | $144,940 | $106,310 | $165,690 | 0.99 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 5,050 | $144,490 | $105,920 | $171,160 | 1.03 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 1,830 | $143,920 | $97,700 | $173,620 | 1.29 |
| Evansville, IN | 360 | $143,650 | $126,420 | $172,720 | 1.28 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 350 | $143,000 | $85,690 | $168,050 | 0.84 |
| Iowa City, IA | 450 | $142,530 | $120,310 | $163,860 | 2.34 |
| Wichita, KS | 580 | $142,400 | $107,230 | $165,940 | 0.91 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 490 | $142,380 | $100,370 | $167,770 | 0.89 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 320 | $142,220 | $130,800 | $182,400 | 1.36 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 520 | $142,040 | $37,120 | $167,940 | 1.68 |
The median is $140,910 a year ($67.75 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $99,290 and the highest-paid tenth over $174,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
321,970 in May 2025, and BLS projects +5.2% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS).
Alaska, with a median of $167,310 (among states with published figures).