Pharmacist Salary Guide
Pharmacists are healthcare providers who specialize in dispensing prescription medications. As medication experts, they work closely with physicians and other healthcare team members to ensure the patient receives safe, appropriate prescription drugs. They primarily dispense the medications that doctors prescribe and work closely with patients to make sure they understand how to use their medications safely. They can also advise patients on using over-the-counter drugs. Other duties include overseeing pharmacy technicians, updating patient records and working with insurance companies. Some pharmacists might administer immunizations and perform health screenings.
How do you become a pharmacist?
To become a pharmacist, you must complete an accredited pharmacy program to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. You can expect the program to take 4 years to complete. The admission requirements can vary for these programs, with some requiring 2 years of undergraduate work and others requiring a bachelor's degree. The degree might need to be in a science or healthcare field. Pharmacists who want to specialize may complete a residency or fellowship program after graduating, but this isn't required. You also need to meet licensing requirements for your state, which typically includes passing one or more exams.
What credentials/licensing does a pharmacist require?
Pharmacists must be licensed by the state. Licensure requirements vary based on where you live. All states require licensure candidates to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX). The Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam is also commonly required, but some states have their own exams. You can also earn credentials for specialty areas. The Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist credential through the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) requires advanced knowledge of medications for pediatric patients. The BPS offers several other specialty certifications, including cardiology, emergency medicine, oncology and psychiatric pharmacy.
Average Pharmacist Salary
$75.42/hour
The average salary for a Pharmacist is $75.42 per hour. This is 45% higher than the practicing US average of $41.57.
Last updated on April 23, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Salaries for Pharmacist compared to Allied Health Professional National Averages
$75.42/hour
45% higher than the practicing US average.
$41.57/hour
United States
Where do Pharmacists get paid the most?
| State | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | $64 | $94 |
| Virginia | $50 | $70 |
| Colorado | $41 | $49 |
| Texas | $39 | $52 |
| District of Columbia | $37 | $100 |
| Georgia | $37 | $42 |
| Florida | $33 | $45 |
| New York | $33 | $100 |
| Illinois | $31 | $41 |
| Maryland | $30 | $100 |
| Pennsylvania | $26 | $100 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Pharmacist jobs?
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Sutter Health | $94 | $108 |
| Core Medical-Perm | $78 | $78 |
| Stability Direct | $73 | $73 |
| Tenet-AZ Region | $70 | $70 |
| Mary Washington Healthcare | $68 | $68 |
| Lee Health | $67 | $67 |
| Inova Health System | $65 | $65 |
| The Hospitals of Providence | $63 | $63 |
| Phoebe Putney Health System | $63 | $63 |
| The Valley Health System | $62 | $65 |
Last updated on April 23, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Pharmacist Career Guide
Use our exclusive Career Guides to research the education, qualifications, skills and responsibilities for a variety of healthcare disciplines and specialties employers are hiring now.
Go to the guideTop Pharmacist Jobs
Pharmacist
- Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center
- LAS VEGAS, NV
- 5x8 hrs
Clinic Pharmacist
- Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center
- LAS VEGAS, NV
- 5x8 hrs, Flexible
Level III - Pharmacist
- Sutter Health
- San Francisco, CA
Clinic Pharmacist
- Mission Trail Baptist Hospital
- San Antonio, TX
- 5x8 hrs
Pharmacist
- Valley Baptist Medical Center - Harlingen
- Harlingen, TX
- 5x8 hrs
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How can you increase your pay as a pharmacist?
Completing a residency or fellowship after completing your pharmacy degree could earn you a higher salary. These programs give you more working knowledge in the field and can allow you to specialize in a specific area of pharmacy. If you do specialize, earning a corresponding certification could increase your pay. Certification could also qualify you for more advanced positions, which usually pay more. It can also help to work in states with higher average salaries for pharmacists, whether in a staff or travel position.
How much does a staff pharmacist make?
The average pharmacist salary for staff positions was $68.35 per hour, according to Vivian Health's salary data sourced on May 10, 2023. Pharmacist pay can vary significantly based on the job location, facility type and candidate's experience and qualifications.
Is pharmacist a growing career?
The job outlook for pharmacists is slower than the overall average for all careers, with an increase of only 2% from 2021 to 2031, according to May 2021 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This increase still results in a projected 13,600 job openings yearly, primarily due to current pharmacists leaving the field for various reasons. The BLS reports that the field will likely see an increase in pharmacist positions within healthcare settings like hospitals.
What type of employers/facilities have the most pharmacists?
The largest type of employers for pharmacists are pharmacies and drug stores, with 40% of the workforce, according to May 2021 BLS data. Next are hospitals, including state, local and private facilities, employing 27% of pharmacists. Food and beverage stores hire 8% of pharmacists, while ambulatory healthcare services are last with 5% of the workforce.
Which employers/facilities have the highest pay?
Pharmacists who work in ambulatory healthcare services earned the highest salaries based on May 2021 BLS data. They earned $131,790 annually, while pharmacists working in hospitals earned slightly less at $130,280 annually. Food and beverage stores come in third, followed closely by pharmacies and drug stores. However, the salaries for all these employer types are similar, with less than a $4,000 difference in annual pay between the highest-paying and lowest-paying facility types. Thus, pharmacists may find high-paying positions in any of these facilities.
How does pharmacist pay compare to similar healthcare jobs?
Pharmacist careers pay more than many similar healthcare jobs, likely due to the advanced education required. Someone who wants to work in a pharmacy without much schooling can work as a pharmacy technician. However, pharmacy technician salaries are significantly lower, with an average hourly wage of $16.95 per hour, per Vivian Health’s data accessed on May 10, 2023.
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