As we reviewed in Pharmacist Pay in the Top 20 Metro Markets, the largest number of pharmacist jobs are found in the biggest U.S. metropolitan markets. However, a closer look at data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that smaller metro areas are where pharmacists often times find better pay. A review of May 2021 BLS data shows that only three of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas were among the 20 best metro areas for pharmacist pay:
20 Best Metro Areas for Pharmacist Pay
| Metropolitan Area | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,740 | $168,640 | ||
| 2 | San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward (#) | 4,040 | $163,840 | ||
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | 340 | $158,420 | ||
| 4 | Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 420 | $156,850 | ||
| 5 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 170 | $152,770 | ||
| 6 | Salinas, CA | 240 | $152,760 | ||
| 7 | Northern Valley, CA non-metro | 180 | $150,760 | ||
| 8 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 270 | $150,730 | ||
| 9 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 230 | $150,150 | ||
| 10 | Madera, CA | 110 | $149,490 | ||
| 11 | Modesto, CA | 320 | $148,490 | ||
| 12 | Yuba City, CA | 100 | $148,460 | ||
| 13 | Fairbanks, AK | 50 | $148,420 | ||
| 14 | Alaska non-metro | 140 | $148,100 | ||
| 15 | Redding, CA | 170 | $146,850 | ||
| 16 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (#) | 3,190 | $146,310 | ||
| 17 | Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade | 2,150 | $145,930 | ||
| 18 | San Diego-Carlsbad, CA (#) | 2,600 | $145,790 | ||
| 19 | Eastern Sierra Region, CA, non-metro | 90 | $145,340 | ||
| 20 | Visalia-Porterville, CA | 270 | $144,710 | ||
| National | 312,550 | $125,690 | |||
(#) a top 20 U.S metro population area
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on November 2, 2022