How Much Do Pharmacists Make?

Glassdoor, a job and recruiting site, reports an attractive average base pay for pharmacists of $26,094 as of August 2023. This average was calculated from thousands of pharmacist salaries submitted anonymously to the site.  

According to Sonia Amin Thomas, PharmD, BCOP, an assistant professor at PCOM School of Pharmacy, salary is just one factor to consider in choosing a career path.

"The area in which you will practice, the job description of what you may or may not want to do, the type of patient population in the area and the general culture of the workplace are bigger decision factors in choosing a job," she said.

While industry plays a significant role in determining how much you will make as a pharmacist, location is also a major determining factor. BLS data shows that, in 2022, a pharmacist in California, Alaska or another top-paying state could expect an annual mean wage between $136,950 and $151,280 while one in a lower paying state could expect between $96,500 and $121,860. In Georgia, where PCOM School of Pharmacy is located, the annual mean wage for pharmacists as of May 2022 was $125,290. Atlanta, GA—located less than an hour away from the PCOM School of Pharmacy—offered an annual mean wage for pharmacists of $127,410 in 2022 making it one of higher paying metropolitan areas in the country.

Nationwide, the BLS reports, the annual mean wage as of May 2022 was $129,410. The mean wage is an average calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a year-round, full-time rate of 2,080 hours.

The top five highest paying states for pharmacists in 2022 according to the BLS were California, Alaska, Oregon, Washington and Minnesota. The highest paying metropolitan area was San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA with an annual mean wage of $174,670. 

A career in pharmacy may offer a good salary in some areas and specialties, but are there enough high-paying jobs available? From 2021 to 2031, about 13,600 openings for pharmacists are projected each year, on average. Pharmacist employment is expected to increase in hospitals and clinics where they will oversee medications and provide patient care including tasks such as testing blood sugar or cholesterol. An aging U.S. population will further increase demand as chronic disease associated with an older population will require more prescription medications.

While competition for these jobs will likely be high, a solid educational foundation coupled with residency program experience or applicable certifications can give you an advantage as a job seeker. 

"Pharmacy has so many different areas in which someone can practice," Thomas added. "One thing in common is being able to educate and help patients to enhance patient care and further advance pharmacy as a profession."

Visit our Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program page to learn how PCOM School of Pharmacy can equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this rapidly changing profession.