State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Pharmacist Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Pharmacists earn a median of $140,910 per year ($67.75/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 4.6% through 2034, with about 14,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
SOC 29-1051Healthcare Practitioners and TechnicalLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $140,910
- Projected growth
- +4.6%
- Openings a year
- 14,200
- Typical education
- Doctorate
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Clinical Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacist, Informatics Pharmacist, Pharm D (Pharmacy Doctor), Pharmacist in Charge (PIC), Pharmacy Coordinator.
How much do Pharmacists make?
10th percentile$99,290
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$129,380
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$140,910
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$161,840
Upper quartile
90th percentile$174,230
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $140,910 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $67.75/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $140,920 |
| People employed | 321,970 |
Versus all US occupations
At $140,910, Pharmacists earn 176% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $89,930 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $97,870, this is 44% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $174,230 or more while the bottom 10% earn $99,290, a gap of 1.8×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 93% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Alaska posts the highest raw median ($167,310), but once local prices are taken into account South Dakota leads at $165,703 in national-average dollars.
Which states pay Pharmacists the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 | $163,454 | 560 |
| Oregon | $165,960 | $160,563 | 3,250 |
| California | $164,610 | $148,672 | 34,030 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 | $148,448 | 1,190 |
| Washington | $160,610 | $150,085 | 7,350 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 | $161,974 | 6,310 |
| Colorado | $156,030 | $151,409 | 4,560 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 | $139,580 | 850 |
| Delaware | $152,880 | $153,174 | 790 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 | $158,074 | 5,730 |
Is Pharmacist a growing career?
Pharmacists4.6%
All US occupations3.1%
+4.6% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Pharmacists to change 4.6% over 2024–2034, against 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 15,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 14,200 openings are projected each year, 4.2% of the 335,100 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand is projected to increase for pharmacists in some healthcare settings, such as in hospitals and clinics. As the roles of pharmacists expand beyond traditional drug-dispensing duties, these workers increasingly will be integrated into healthcare teams to provide medication management and other patient care services in these facilities.
Meanwhile, many pharmacists work in retail pharmacies, which include independent and chain drug stores as well as supermarket and mass merchandiser pharmacies. Demand for pharmacists is expected to be limited in these settings as the industry consolidates and more people fill their prescriptions online or by mail.
How to become a Pharmacist
Every state licenses pharmacists. The route is a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited pharmacy program, a state-specified number of intern hours, and two examinations: the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) for practice knowledge and a pharmacy law examination, either the state-specific MPJE or the Uniform MPJE.
The credential path, step by step
- Complete the prerequisite undergraduate courseworkAt least 2 years
Pharm.D. programs typically require at least 2 years of prerequisite courses such as anatomy and physiology, physics and statistics. Some programs require or prefer a completed bachelor's degree in biology, a health field or a physical science.
- Earn a Pharm.D. from an accredited pharmacy program4 years, or 3 years in an accelerated program
Coursework covers sciences, pharmacology and pharmacy law, and programs include supervised work experience in settings such as hospitals and retail pharmacies. ACPE accredits US Pharm.D. programs.
- Complete the intern hours your state board requires
Applicants must complete a state-specified number of hours as an intern. Check your board of pharmacy for the figure and how hours must be documented.
- Pass the NAPLEX
Apply for eligibility through your NABP e-Profile, have your college of pharmacy send an official transcript to NABP, then purchase and schedule the examination once eligibility is granted.
- Pass the pharmacy law examination for your jurisdiction
This is the state-specific MPJE or, in participating jurisdictions, the Uniform MPJE. Confirm which one your board uses before you apply.
- Maintain the license, and consider a residency for clinical roles
Renewal requires continuing education on the state board's schedule. A 1- to 2-year residency or fellowship after graduation is the usual route into clinical and specialty positions such as cardiology, internal medicine or pediatric care.
Exams you have to pass
North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX)
Assesses general pharmacy practice knowledge and is taken by pharmacy graduates shortly after they receive their degree, and by foreign-educated pharmacists who hold FPGEC Certification. Boards of pharmacy use it as one component of the licensure process. Candidates apply through an NABP e-Profile and submit an official transcript from their college of pharmacy.
Administered by National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE)
Pharmacy law examination. The MPJE has assessed state-specific and federal law since 1998. A uniform version, the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE), launched in 2026 and covers general principles of state law common to all jurisdictions plus federal law; jurisdictions are adopting it on their own timelines.
Administered by National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- Program accreditation
ACPE · Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
Pharmacists typically need a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited pharmacy program. ACPE is the accrediting body for US Doctor of Pharmacy programs, including those offered by distance education; its current standards took effect on 1 July 2025.
- How long the training takes
4 years for the Pharm.D., after at least 2 years of prerequisite undergraduate coursework
Pharm.D. programs usually take 4 years; some offer a 3-year option and some admit high school graduates into a 6-year program. An optional post-graduate residency or fellowship for clinical or advanced roles typically lasts 1 to 2 years.
- Continuing education
Required to stay credentialed
Pharmacists must complete continuing education to maintain licensure. The number of hours and the renewal cycle are set by each state board of pharmacy.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
All states license pharmacists and requirements vary. The number of intern hours is set by each state. Jurisdictions differ in whether they use the state-specific MPJE or the newer Uniform MPJE, and in application timelines and fees. In most states pharmacists must hold a separate certification to administer vaccinations.
Who governs the credential
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) — Accredits professional degree programs leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree; recognized for this purpose by the US Department of Education and by CHEA.
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) — Develops and administers the NAPLEX and the MPJE/UMPJE used by state boards of pharmacy in the licensure process.
Credential detail for pharmacists is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Pharmacists · checked August 23, 2026
- ACPE: PharmD Program Accreditation · checked August 23, 2026
- NABP: NAPLEX · checked August 23, 2026
- NABP: MPJE/UMPJE · checked August 23, 2026
- CareerOneStop: Find Licenses (state licensing board requirements) · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Pharmacists typically need a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited pharmacy program. Every state requires pharmacists to be licensed.
| Typical entry-level education | Doctoral or professional degree |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Considerable preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as pharmacists.
- Doctoral Degree78.4%
- Bachelor's Degree11.5%
- Post-Doctoral Training5.1%
- First Professional Degree3.4%
- High School Diploma1.8%
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.
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications and provide information to patients about the drugs and their use. They also advise physicians and other healthcare workers on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications to treat health problems. They may help patients with their overall health through activities such as providing immunizations.
Day-to-day tasks
- Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
- Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
- Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.
- Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
- Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly.
- Plan, implement, or maintain procedures for mixing, packaging, or labeling pharmaceuticals, according to policy and legal requirements, to ensure quality, security, and proper disposal.
- Assess the identity, strength, or purity of medications.
- Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most pharmacists work full time. In hospitals and other facilities that are open 24 hours, pharmacists may work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Where the work happens
- Indoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day
Physical demands
- On their feet more than half the working day
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
- Dealing with customers or the public is very important
Pressure and stakes
- Meeting strict deadlines at least weekly
- Handling conflict situations at least monthly
- Mistakes carry very serious consequences
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where pharmacists work
| Pharmacies and drug retailers | 37% |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 30% |
| General merchandise retailers | 6% |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 6% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Active Learning3.6/5
- Science3.4/5
Transferable skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.6/5
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Time Management3.6/5
- Coordination3.4/5
- Instructing3.4/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.4/5
Tools and software
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Computer based training software
- Data base user interface and query software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Pharmacist?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realistic2.8
Investigativeprimary5.7
Artistic1.5
Socialprimary4.9
Enterprising2.6
Conventionalprimary4.6
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Pharmacist: frequently asked questions
How much do Pharmacists make?
Pharmacists earn a median of $140,910 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 176% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $67.75/hr. The middle half earn between $129,380 and $161,840. The top 10% earn $174,230 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Pharmacist?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Pharmacists. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 78.4% hold doctoral degree.
Is Pharmacist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.6% over 2024–2034, faster than the 3.1% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 14,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Pharmacist do?
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications and provide information to patients about the drugs and their use. A core O*NET task: provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage. Employers most often ask for Document management software, Electronic mail software, Medical software.
Which states pay Pharmacists the most?
The highest state medians for Pharmacists are Alaska ($167,310), Oregon ($165,960), California ($164,610) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, South Dakota moves to the top at $165,703.
What personality type suits a Pharmacist?
O*NET scores Pharmacists highest on the Investigative, Social and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISFJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Pharmacist?
4 years for the Pharm.D., after at least 2 years of prerequisite undergraduate coursework. Pharm.D. programs usually take 4 years; some offer a 3-year option and some admit high school graduates into a 6-year program. An optional post-graduate residency or fellowship for clinical or advanced roles typically lasts 1 to 2 years.
Do you need a license to work as a Pharmacist?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. All states license pharmacists and requirements vary. The number of intern hours is set by each state. Jurisdictions differ in whether they use the state-specific MPJE or the newer Uniform MPJE, and in application timelines and fees. In most states pharmacists must hold a separate certification to administer vaccinations.
What exams do you have to pass to become a Pharmacist?
The NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) and the MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination). Assesses general pharmacy practice knowledge and is taken by pharmacy graduates shortly after they receive their degree, and by foreign-educated pharmacists who hold FPGEC Certification. Boards of pharmacy use it as one component of the licensure process. Candidates apply through an NABP e-Profile and submit an official transcript from their college of pharmacy.