What Pharmacists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Pharmacists this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability"; "Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage"; "Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions"; "Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly"; "Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is doctoral or professional degree.
Job outlook for Pharmacists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 325,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 342,300 in 2035, an increase of 17,100 jobs (+5.2%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 12,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 3.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $140,910, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Pharmacists earn the most
Across the 5 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $140,223 in Illinois to $165,887 in California, a gap of $25,664 (1.18 times). 3 of those 5 states average above the BLS national median of $140,910 and 2 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 33,040, which is 27.4% of the 120,700 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 28,230.
Highest-paying states
California ($165,887), New Jersey ($142,776) and Indiana ($142,452) lead the ranking, while Illinois ($140,223) and New York ($140,746) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Pharmacists: pay against the cost of living
We compare 5 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $82,132. The smallest margin is $59,209 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 5 of the 5 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 13.7% and 32.7% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Pharmacists
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-1000) include General Internal Medicine Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and Physical Therapists.
Frequently asked questions about Pharmacists
How much do Pharmacists earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $140,910. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $140,223 to $165,887.
Which state pays Pharmacists the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $165,887. New Jersey is next at $142,776.
Is Pharmacists a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 5.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 12,500 openings a year.
What education do Pharmacists need?
The typical entry-level education is doctoral or professional degree, according to BLS.
Where can Pharmacists afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $82,132 on a median wage of $140,880.