SOC 291051

Pharmacists

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.

National Median

$137,480

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$137,480

Entry Level (10th pct)

$86,930

Experienced (90th pct)

$172,040

Total Employed

328,870

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$86,930 - $127,250
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$127,250 - $158,620
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$158,620 - $172,040

Highest Paying Locations for Pharmacists

Napa, CA

$203,950

+48.3% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$196,250

+42.7% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$183,510

+33.5% vs national

Vallejo, CA

$177,530

+29.1% vs national

Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA

$174,810

+27.2% vs national

Pharmacists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Napa, CA	$203,950	160
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$196,250	1,950
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$183,510	4,230
Vallejo, CA	$177,530	320
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$174,810	320
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$173,510	2,320
Chico, CA	$171,200	160
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$170,480	230
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$169,520	2,420
Salinas, CA	$169,050	260
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$167,910	160
Fairbanks-College, AK	$167,100	50
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$167,040	100
Modesto, CA	$166,760	360
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$165,810	260
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$165,270	4,850
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$165,150	180
California	$165,150	34,490
Visalia, CA	$164,840	270
Fresno, CA	$164,520	930
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$163,860	2,820
Redding, CA	$163,770	140
Alaska	$163,200	510
Anchorage, AK	$163,200	310
Longview-Kelso, WA	$163,170	80
Salem, OR	$163,120	320
Oregon	$163,120	3,660
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$162,990	150
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$162,630	150
Bend, OR	$162,410	180
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$162,340	650
El Centro, CA	$161,570	80
Ann Arbor, MI	$161,420	620
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$160,640	3,800
Urban Honolulu, HI	$160,010	1,000
Yuba City, CA	$159,710	120
Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$159,640	100
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$159,530	90
Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$159,180	110
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$159,030	660
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$158,670	180
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$158,450	12,390
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$158,070	110
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$158,030	510
Flagstaff, AZ	$158,020	120
Boulder, CO	$157,450	270
Washington	$157,020	7,940
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	$156,760	180
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$156,060	3,960
Medford, OR	$156,060	180

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Pharmacists?

The national median annual salary for Pharmacists is $137,480, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Pharmacistss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Pharmacistss is Napa, CA, with a median salary of $203,950.

How much can an experienced Pharmacists make?

Top-earning Pharmacistss (90th percentile) make $172,040 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.