More than 331,000 pharmacists working in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Pharmacists work in varied settings, including health and personal care stores, hospitals, food and general merchandise stores with pharmacy services, and other businesses involved in the distribution of pharmacy products. Like many other healthcare professionals with advanced technical training and skills, pharmacists typically earn higher salaries and wages than most workers in other occupations. According to BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for pharmacists was $134,790 per year. While a well-paying occupation, there is considerable variation from state to state in how much pharmacists earn. Per BLS data, as of May 2023, these were the ten best and worst states for pharmacist pay based on annual mean wage levels:
The Best and Worst States for Pharmacist Pay
| Best Paying States | |
| California | $157,280 |
| Alaska | $151,600 |
| Oregon | $149,550 |
| Washington | $148,550 |
| Minnesota | $143,210 |
| Colorado | $141,670 |
| Vermont | $140,010 |
| Wisconsin | $139,980 |
| New Hampshire | $139,560 |
| Hawaii | $138,390 |
| Worst Paying States | |
| Iowa | $127,780 |
| North Dakota | $127,260 |
| Alabama | $126,960 |
| Oklahoma | $125,710 |
| Mississippi | $125,330 |
| Ohio | $124,850 |
| Louisiana | $124,770 |
| Tennessee | $122,820 |
| West Virginia | $121,000 |
| Rhode Island | $113,110 |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 6, 2024
