Pharmacist Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$132,000
national median salary
$118,000 to $152,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $140,910 for Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051) across the United States, based on 321,970 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$99,290
25th percentile
$129,380
Median
$140,910
75th percentile
$161,840
90th percentile
$174,230
Workers surveyed
321,970
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$137,480
May 2025 release
$140,910
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051) rather than Pharmacistspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 29-1051Highest Paying
$182,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$138,000
Jersey City, NJ
Lowest Paying
$103,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 29-1051. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Pharmacist salary in the United States at $132,000 in 2026, within a range of $118,000 to $152,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $182,000, while Jersey City offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Practice setting creates the widest salary spread, with hospital and specialty pharmacy paying above retail.
Pharmacist salary by city.
Skills that increase Pharmacist pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Pharmacists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $18,480 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$18,480 per year
≈ +$17,160 per year
≈ +$15,840 per year
≈ +$14,520 per year
≈ +$14,520 per year
≈ +$13,200 per year
≈ +$13,200 per year
≈ +$11,880 per year
What you should know.
Practice setting creates the widest salary spread, with hospital and specialty pharmacy paying above retail. Board certifications in oncology, critical care, or ambulatory care add 5 to 10% premiums. States with pharmacist provider status and areas with workforce shortages consistently offer higher base salaries to attract talent.
Staff pharmacists start at $115,000 to $125,000 in most settings. Clinical specialists with board certification earn $135,000 to $155,000 after gaining experience. Pharmacy directors and chief pharmacy officers can reach $160,000 to $220,000 in health system leadership roles.
Pharmacists receive comprehensive benefits, often including loan repayment assistance of $5,000 to $20,000 annually. Retail pharmacists may earn performance bonuses, while hospital pharmacists receive shift differentials and clinical ladder advancement pay.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Pharmacists typically earn $119,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Pharmacist pay.
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