Pharmacists
SOC 29-1051 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Pharmacists is $136,030, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $134,790, and an estimated 331,700 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +5.7% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -10.2% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 4.6% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Pharmacists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $136,030 | $136,030 | 331,700 |
| 2022 | $132,750 | $138,215 | 325,480 |
| 2021 | $128,570 | $144,575 | 312,550 |
| 2020 | $128,710 | $151,532 | 315,470 |
Nominal change
+5.7%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-10.2%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+4.6%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
335,100
Projected 2034
350,500
Annual Openings
14,200
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Pharmacists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $136,030. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $163,730 | +20.4% | 190 |
| California | $160,950 | +18.3% | 35,980 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $160,090 | +17.7% | 90 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $156,450 | +15% | 220 |
| Oregon | $154,550 | +13.6% | 3,710 |
| Washington | $153,500 | +12.8% | 9,450 |
| Alaska | $152,730 | +12.3% | 520 |
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $152,640 | +12.2% | 190 |
| Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $151,290 | +11.2% | 100 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $150,920 | +10.9% | 150 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$89,980
25th Pct
$125,860
Median
$136,030
75th Pct
$155,550
90th Pct
$168,650
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVS Rx Services Inc. | CA | 5 | $149,760 |
| CVS Rx Services Inc. | PA | 4 | $117,312 |
| Lifecare Pharmacy of Austin, LLC | TX | 3 | $115,045 |
| Thrifty Payless, Inc. | CA | 3 | $176,800 |
| Walgreen Co. | IN | 2 | $155,584 |
| Indiana University Health, Inc. | IN | 2 | $117,520 |
| Tigbha Care LLC | WA | 2 | $116,480 |
| Walgreen Co. | AZ | 2 | $145,600 |
| WAL-MART ASSOCIATES, INC. | NM | 2 | $144,560 |
| Boston Medical Center Corporation | MA | 2 | $130,831 |
| Safeway Inc. | CA | 2 | $162,240 |
| JD Healthcare 2 LLC | TX | 2 | $120,000 |
| CVS Rx Services Inc. | TX | 2 | $141,440 |
| 7 HILLS RX INC | NY | 1 | $130,000 |
| Safeway Inc. | OR | 1 | $105,394 |
| Thrifty Payless, Inc. | WA | 1 | $145,600 |
| Henry Ford Health System | MI | 1 | $179,546 |
| University of Michigan | MI | 1 | $116,280 |
| Pomp Rx Pharmacy LLC | FL | 1 | $124,800 |
| H-E-B, LP | TX | 1 | $162,500 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
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