How much does a Pharmacist make?
Pharmacists play a vital role in healthcare, ensuring patients receive the right medications and advice. They earn a solid income for their important work. The average yearly salary for a pharmacist is around $134,900. This means they make a good living, which is fair for their level of education and responsibility.
Pharmacists can earn different amounts based on their experience and where they work. Here are some salary ranges:
- The lowest 10% earn about $100,000 or less.
- The next 10% earn between $100,000 and $107,956.
- The next 10% earn between $107,956 and $115,911.
- The next 10% earn between $115,911 and $123,867.
- The next 10% earn between $123,867 and $131,823.
- The next 10% earn between $131,823 and $139,778.
- The next 10% earn between $139,778 and $147,734.
- The next 10% earn between $147,734 and $155,689.
- The next 10% earn between $155,689 and $163,645.
- The next 10% earn between $163,645 and $171,601.
- The top 10% earn $171,601 or more.
What are the highest paying cities for a Pharmacist?

-
Santa Rosa, CA
Average Salary: $171,715
In Santa Rosa, professionals find rewarding opportunities in healthcare. The city boasts several hospitals and pharmacies, offering a stable work environment. Companies like Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health provide excellent career growth.
Find Pharmacist jobs in Santa Rosa, CA
-
San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $170,946
San Francisco offers a dynamic job market for healthcare workers. The city's diverse population and numerous clinics create a high demand for skilled professionals. Major employers include UCSF Health and Walgreens.
Find Pharmacist jobs in San Francisco, CA
-
Vallejo, CA
Average Salary: $164,258
Vallejo provides a balanced work-life environment for healthcare professionals. The city's healthcare facilities, including Kaiser Permanente, offer competitive salaries and benefits. The community-focused atmosphere is ideal for those looking to make a difference.
Find Pharmacist jobs in Vallejo, CA
-
Modesto, CA
Average Salary: $162,278
Modesto is a growing city with many opportunities in healthcare. The local economy supports a variety of pharmacies, and employers like Kaiser Permanente and Walgreens are prominent. The community is welcoming and supportive of career growth.
Find Pharmacist jobs in Modesto, CA
-
San Diego, CA
Average Salary: $160,896
San Diego offers a vibrant job market for healthcare professionals. The city's diverse healthcare facilities and strong economy provide numerous opportunities. Major employers include Scripps Health and Sharp HealthCare, offering excellent career advancement.
Find Pharmacist jobs in San Diego, CA
-
San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $160,790
San Jose is a hub for healthcare jobs, with many opportunities in both urban and suburban settings. The tech-driven economy supports a variety of healthcare facilities. Companies like Kaiser Permanente and Stanford Health Care offer excellent career prospects.
Find Pharmacist jobs in San Jose, CA
-
Salinas, CA
Average Salary: $155,297
Salinas provides a supportive environment for healthcare workers. The city's healthcare facilities, including Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, offer stable employment. The community is tight-knit, making it a great place to build a career.
Find Pharmacist jobs in Salinas, CA
-
Sacramento, CA
Average Salary: $154,584
Sacramento offers a range of opportunities for healthcare professionals. The city's healthcare sector is robust, with employers like Kaiser Permanente and UC Davis Health providing excellent career paths. The diverse community adds to the enriching work experience.
Find Pharmacist jobs in Sacramento, CA
-
Yuma, AZ
Average Salary: $152,811
Yuma provides a welcoming environment for healthcare workers. The city's healthcare facilities, including Yuma Regional Medical Center, offer stable employment. The community is friendly, making it a great place to build a career.
Find Pharmacist jobs in Yuma, AZ
-
Fresno, CA
Average Salary: $152,671
Fresno offers a diverse job market for healthcare professionals. The city's growing economy supports a variety of healthcare facilities. Employers like Kaiser Permanente and Community Regional Medical Center provide excellent career opportunities.
Find Pharmacist jobs in Fresno, CA
What are the best companies a Pharmacist can work for?

-
John Muir Health
Average Salary: $206,927
John Muir Health offers rewarding Pharmacist jobs in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Concord. They focus on patient care and innovation. Pharmacists work in hospitals and clinics, ensuring safe medication use.
-
Sutter Health
Average Salary: $197,449
Sutter Health provides excellent Pharmacist jobs in Northern California, including Sacramento and San Francisco. They emphasize teamwork and patient care. Pharmacists work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to outpatient clinics.
-
Montage Health
Average Salary: $197,132
Montage Health offers Pharmacist jobs in Monterey. They focus on high-quality patient care. Pharmacists work in hospitals and outpatient services, ensuring safe medication use.
-
NorthBay Health
Average Salary: $196,007
NorthBay Health offers Pharmacist jobs in Fairfield and Napa. They focus on patient care and community health. Pharmacists work in hospitals and outpatient clinics, ensuring safe medication use.
-
Sharp HealthCare
Average Salary: $195,514
Sharp HealthCare offers Pharmacist jobs in San Diego. They focus on innovation and patient care. Pharmacists work in hospitals and outpatient clinics, ensuring safe medication use.
-
UCLA Health
Average Salary: $192,961
UCLA Health offers Pharmacist jobs in Los Angeles. They focus on research and patient care. Pharmacists work in hospitals and outpatient clinics, ensuring safe medication use.
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Average Salary: $192,383
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers Pharmacist jobs in Seattle. They focus on cancer care and research. Pharmacists work in hospitals and outpatient clinics, ensuring safe medication use.
-
Kaiser Permanente
Average Salary: $192,068
Kaiser Permanente offers Pharmacist jobs across California. They focus on patient care and innovation. Pharmacists work in hospitals and outpatient clinics, ensuring safe medication use.
-
UC San Diego Health
Average Salary: $182,798
UC San Diego Health offers Pharmacist jobs in San Diego. They focus on research and patient care. Pharmacists work in hospitals and outpatient clinics, ensuring safe medication use.
-
CHOC Children's
Average Salary: $182,707
CHOC Children's offers Pharmacist jobs in Orange County. They focus on pediatric care. Pharmacists work in hospitals and outpatient clinics, ensuring safe medication use.
How to earn more as a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists have the opportunity to earn more by exploring various career paths and enhancing their skills. One effective way to increase earnings is by specializing in a niche area of pharmacy. Specializations such as oncology, pediatrics, or geriatrics often command higher salaries due to the specialized knowledge required. Another way to boost income is by pursuing additional certifications. These certifications can open doors to higher-paying positions and more responsibilities within the pharmacy field.
Location also plays a significant role in determining a pharmacist's salary. Urban areas and regions with a high demand for healthcare services typically offer higher wages. Pharmacists can also increase their earnings by working in different settings, such as hospitals, clinics, or retail pharmacies. Each setting has its own pay scale, and some may offer higher compensation than others. Finally, gaining experience and advancing to managerial roles can lead to higher salaries. Leadership positions often come with increased responsibilities and, consequently, higher pay.
Here are some key factors to consider for earning more as a pharmacist:
- Specialize in a niche area of pharmacy
- Pursue additional certifications
- Choose a location with higher demand for pharmacists
- Work in different pharmacy settings
- Gain experience and advance to managerial roles