Question 1

What is the average Pharmacist salary in the US?

Accepted Answer

The median annual Pharmacist salary in the United States is $137,480, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024 release. This midpoint figure means half of the 328,870 Pharmacists employed nationwide earn above $137,480 and half earn below. The mean annual wage is $137,210 — slightly above the median, reflecting upward pull from high-paying metropolitan and specialty positions. Entry-level earners (10th percentile) typically start around $86,930, while experienced professionals at the 75th percentile reach $158,620. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-1051.

Question 2

How much does a Pharmacist make per hour?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacists earn a mean hourly wage of $65.97, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024 survey. This figure represents the average across all Pharmacists in all industries and geographic areas in the United States. Hourly rates vary considerably based on employer type, geographic location, shift differentials, and years of experience. Hourly equivalents for salaried roles are calculated against a standard 2,080-hour work year (40 hours per week × 52 weeks); actual compensated hours may differ. For reference, the annual mean salary for Pharmacists is $137,210. Part-time workers, per-diem positions, and contract roles may fall above or below this figure depending on the agreed pay structure and premium differentials. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-1051.

Question 3

What does a Pharmacist earn at the entry level?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level Pharmacists — those in the bottom 10% of the wage distribution — typically earn around $86,930 per year, according to BLS OEWS May 2024 data. Workers in the 25th percentile (early-career, typically 1–4 years of experience) earn approximately $127,250 annually. These figures represent all industries and geographic regions nationwide; entry wages in high-cost states such as California, New York, and Massachusetts often run 10–25% above these benchmarks, while rural areas and lower-cost states may pay below them. As credentials, certifications, and clinical or technical experience accumulate, pay scales toward the median of $137,480 and beyond. Entry wage estimates are derived from BLS percentile bands and are labeled as estimates; they are not directly published as entry wages by the BLS. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-1051.

Question 4

What is the highest salary a Pharmacist can earn?

Accepted Answer

The top 10% of Pharmacists earn $172,040 or more annually, and the 75th percentile sits at $158,620, according to BLS OEWS May 2024. The highest-paid positions tend to cluster in major metropolitan areas — particularly in California, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington — and in settings that demand advanced credentials, specialized certifications, or leadership responsibilities. Employer type also drives meaningful pay variation: private-sector roles, large hospital systems, and government positions each carry different pay structures. For Pharmacists, moving from the median ($137,480) to the 90th percentile often involves a combination of advanced degrees or board certifications, supervisory responsibilities, and tenure at a high-volume or high-acuity facility. The mean salary of $137,210 sits below the 90th percentile, indicating most very-high earners are outliers. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-1051.

Question 5

Is the mean Pharmacist salary higher than the median?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the mean Pharmacist salary ($137,210) is $270 below the median ($137,480). When the mean exceeds the median, it signals that a subset of high earners pulls the average upward — a common pattern in occupations with significant pay variation across specialties, employer types, or geographies. The median is generally the more useful benchmark for an individual worker: it represents what a typical Pharmacist earns, unaffected by the very highest outlier salaries. Both figures come from the BLS OEWS May 2024 survey, SOC 29-1051.

Question 6

Is Pharmacist a growing career?

Accepted Answer

BLS projects 3% change in Pharmacist employment over the next decade — about as fast as average compared to the 4% average growth rate across all US occupations. Demand for Pharmacists is expected to keep pace with the broader labor market over the coming decade. Source: BLS Employment Projections program.

Question 7

How many Pharmacists work in the US?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 328,870 people work as Pharmacists in the United States, making it a specialized occupation in the US labor market. This employment count is based on the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2024 release, SOC 29-1051. The OEWS program covers non-farm wage and salary workers and excludes the self-employed. Total US employment across all occupations surveyed in the same release was approximately 158 million workers. The Pharmacist field represents roughly 0.21% of total surveyed US employment.

Pharmacist level	Tenure	Estimated salary	BLS reference
Entry level	First 0–2 years	$86,930	10th percentile
Early career	2–5 years	$127,250	25th percentile
Mid-career	5–10 years	$137,480	Median
Experienced	10+ years	$158,620	75th percentile
Senior / leadership	Top 10%	$172,040	90th percentile

Pharmacist Salary

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