Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Doctoral or professional degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Pharmacists work in a professional healthcare role that combines advanced education with strong analytical and interpersonal skills. This career employs about 335,000 people nationally and offers a national median annual salary of $137,480, reflecting its position as a highly trained occupation. Pharmacists use a blend of science, mathematics, problem solving, and attention to detail, supported by strong customer service and interpersonal abilities. They also benefit from skills such as adaptability, leadership, project management, and clear writing and reading. The field is projected to grow by 4.6%, with about 14,000 annual openings, indicating continuing demand for new professionals. Career options can be considered alongside related paths such as dermatologists, podiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners. For students, career changers, and experienced professionals, pharmacy offers a structured path built on a doctoral or professional degree and a skill profile that supports long-term professional development in healthcare.
Pharmacists have a strong earning profile, with a national median annual salary of $137,480. Pay can vary notably by location. Among the top states, California reports a median salary of $164,610, Washington $160,610, Colorado $156,030, New York $142,090, and Massachusetts $138,170. At the metro level, salaries can be even higher: San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has a median of $199,040, San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA reports $177,410, and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV shows $150,540. New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA-NH have median salaries of $141,320 and $139,660 respectively. These figures suggest that pharmacists who are open to practicing in certain states or metros, especially in parts of California and major coastal regions, may access higher earning potential compared with the national median, while still remaining within the same occupation.
Pharmacists have a sizable national employment base of about 335,000, which provides a broad platform for job opportunities. The projected employment growth rate of 4.6% points to continued expansion in the field rather than contraction. In addition to growth, about 14,000 annual openings are expected, reflecting both new positions and the need to fill existing roles over time. This combination of a large current workforce and steady projected growth means that people entering pharmacy can anticipate a consistent flow of job opportunities nationally. The presence of pharmacists across many high-opportunity states and metros, all sharing the same 4.6% projected growth rate, reinforces the idea that this outlook is not limited to a single region. For individuals planning long-term careers or considering advanced professional education, these employment and opening figures provide a quantitative sense of stability and ongoing demand.
Location plays a significant role in pharmacist opportunities, with certain states and metro areas standing out. Among states, California leads with a median salary of $164,610, employment of 34,030, and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Massachusetts also offer notable prospects, with median salaries of $142,090 and $138,170 and opportunity scores of 65.78 and 65.87 respectively. Washington and Colorado show higher median salaries of $160,610 and $156,030 with opportunity scores in the mid-50s, suggesting solid but somewhat lower overall opportunity scores than the top three states. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has both the highest opportunity score (77.42) and a median salary of $199,040. New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA-NH also provide strong combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores, giving pharmacists multiple geographic options to consider.
Becoming a pharmacist typically requires a doctoral or professional degree, indicating a substantial commitment to formal education and training. This advanced education aligns with the occupation’s strong emphasis on science and mathematics, as well as the need for well-developed problem solving and decision making. Pharmacists benefit from being highly detail oriented, since precision is central to the role. Success also depends on strong customer service and interpersonal skills, reflecting regular interaction with patients and other healthcare professionals. Leadership and project management skills help pharmacists contribute to and guide organized, efficient work environments. Adaptability supports working effectively in changing situations, while strong writing and reading skills are important for understanding and communicating complex information. Together, the doctoral or professional degree requirement and this broad skill set create a professional profile that is both academically rigorous and highly people-focused, which can appeal to individuals seeking a structured, advanced healthcare career path.
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