Pharmacists

SOC code 29-1051 · O*NET-SOC 29-1051.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Pharmacists pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$140,910

a year

Hourly

$67.75

per hour

10th$99,290Median$140,91090th$174,230

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$140,920

$67.75 per hour

Middle 50%

$129,380 – $161,840

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$99,290 – $174,230

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

321,970

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $99,290; $47.73/hr
25th percentile: $129,380; $62.20/hr
Median percentile: $140,910; $67.75/hr
75th percentile: $161,840; $77.81/hr
90th percentile: $174,230; $83.77/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

+5%

Growing faster than average

335,100

jobs in 2024

350,500

projected for 2034

About 15,400 more jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What does a pharmacist do?

Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.
Work in hospitals or clinics or for Health Management Organizations (HMOs), dispensing prescriptions, serving as a medical team consultant, or specializing in specific drug therapy areas, such as oncology or nuclear pharmacotherapy.
Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
Provide specialized services to help patients manage conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pressure.
Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.
Prepare sterile solutions or infusions for use in surgical procedures, emergency rooms, or patients' homes.

How to become a pharmacist

Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 78% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Doctoral Degree78%
Bachelor's Degree11%
Post-Doctoral Training5%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.3%

Common questions

How much does a pharmacist earn?

The national median is $140,910 a year. The full range runs from $99,290 at the 10th percentile to $174,230 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a pharmacist without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Is pharmacist in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension4.0/5
Active Listening4.0/5
Speaking4.0/5
Writing3.9/5
Critical Thinking3.9/5
Monitoring3.9/5

Knowledge areas

Medicine and Dentistry4.6/5
English Language4.4/5
Biology4.4/5
Mathematics4.2/5
Chemistry4.1/5
Education and Training3.9/5
Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
Law and Government3.5/5

Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.