Pharmacist Salary
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications and provide expertise on their safe use. They advise patients on drug interactions, side effects, and proper medication management.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Pharmacist
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $177,410 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $168,830 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $165,130 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $162,870 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $160,990 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $157,890 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $157,440 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $151,290 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | $151,050 |
| 10 | Charlotte, NC | $150,580 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland, OR | 105.4 | $160,148 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | 95.7 | $157,844 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $154,682 |
| 4 | Louisville, KY | 93.1 | $154,630 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | 98.1 | $154,274 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 | $153,584 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $153,452 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | 90.4 | $152,774 |
| 9 | Denver, CO | 105.8 | $149,260 |
| 10 | Richmond, VA | 97.9 | $148,113 |
Pharmacist Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $164,560 | $177,410 | $220,120 | $229,220 | 3,670 |
| Portland, OR | $145,740 | $168,830 | $189,540 | $196,500 | 2,070 |
| San Diego, CA | $154,000 | $165,130 | $201,750 | $214,480 | 2,840 |
| Seattle, WA | $139,400 | $162,870 | $192,860 | $209,460 | 4,440 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $136,870 | $160,990 | $169,830 | $172,670 | 4,160 |
| Denver, CO | $137,550 | $157,890 | $169,230 | $188,490 | 2,630 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $133,030 | $157,440 | $183,690 | $209,060 | 12,450 |
| Austin, TX | $131,640 | $151,290 | $164,140 | $172,490 | 1,800 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $135,120 | $151,050 | $161,440 | $170,110 | 2,220 |
| Charlotte, NC | $131,800 | $150,580 | $167,110 | $173,930 | 2,530 |
| Washington, DC | $135,310 | $150,540 | $164,720 | $179,230 | 5,260 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $132,770 | $147,010 | $165,590 | $173,130 | 1,520 |
| Richmond, VA | $129,440 | $144,940 | $157,000 | $165,690 | 1,350 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $133,720 | $144,490 | $161,190 | $171,160 | 5,050 |
| Louisville, KY | $129,580 | $143,920 | $160,890 | $173,620 | 1,830 |
| New York, NY | $130,320 | $141,320 | $165,410 | $175,840 | 20,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $126,050 | $140,880 | $163,710 | $171,710 | 8,930 |
| Houston, TX | $127,070 | $140,470 | $163,510 | $170,170 | 6,410 |
| Atlanta, GA | $126,610 | $139,870 | $162,660 | $175,560 | 6,120 |
| Boston, MA | $134,840 | $139,660 | $158,770 | $168,390 | 5,280 |
| Dallas, TX | $129,270 | $138,170 | $159,400 | $170,390 | 7,230 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $130,960 | $138,120 | $152,510 | $161,580 | 1,550 |
| Detroit, MI | $124,210 | $137,770 | $155,900 | $170,230 | 4,280 |
| Nashville, TN | $129,610 | $137,590 | $158,580 | $167,070 | 2,630 |
| Miami, FL | $126,560 | $135,210 | $153,610 | $168,060 | 6,150 |
| Memphis, TN | $126,490 | $134,220 | $153,250 | $165,860 | 1,460 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $128,430 | $134,180 | $146,770 | $160,250 | 3,300 |
| Columbus, OH | $127,700 | $133,960 | $156,190 | $166,620 | 2,610 |
| Raleigh, NC | $128,950 | $133,120 | $157,760 | $165,060 | 1,730 |
| El Paso, TX | $121,190 | $124,910 | $149,550 | $165,150 | 590 |
5About the Pharmacist Role
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications and provide expertise on their safe use. They advise patients on drug interactions, side effects, and proper medication management.
Compensation for Pharmacists varies by metro — from $124,910 at the low end in El Paso, TX to $177,410 in San Francisco, CA. The $52,500 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see pharmacist salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Pharmacist salary in the US?
The national median Pharmacist salary is $140,910 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $129,380 and the 90th percentile reaches $174,230.
Which city pays Pharmacists the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, San Francisco, CA has the highest median wage for Pharmacists at $177,410 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Portland, OR ($168,830) and San Diego, CA ($165,130) are next.