Pharmacist Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Pharmacists dispense medications, counsel patients on drug therapy, manage drug interactions, and increasingly play clinical roles in hospital systems and specialty pharmacy.
National Median
$132,000
Best State (Net)
$106,956
Washington
Take-Home TX
$101,488
No state tax
Job Growth
3%
Key Facts — Pharmacist 2026
BLS median: $137,480 (BLS May 2023 OES) — among the highest healthcare medians
PharmD residency (PGY1/PGY2) is the gateway to most clinical specialty roles
Industry exit (MSL roles) commonly pays $155K–$220K with better hours
Retail chain pharmacy is contracting — 900+ CVS stores closed 2022–2024
Hospital pharmacy directors at major academic systems clear $215K+
Salary by Experience Level
Pharmacy Resident (PGY1/PGY2)
$52,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$43,962
1–2 year post-PharmD; clinical specialty
Staff Pharmacist (1–5 yrs)
$125,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$96,704
Hospital, retail, specialty pharmacy
Clinical/Specialty Pharmacist (5+ yrs)
$150,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$113,791
PGY2 specialty: oncology, ID, CC
Pharmacy Director / PIC
$195,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$145,200
Hospital admin track
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Clinical Pharmacist | $158,400 | +20% |
| Oncology Pharmacist | $165,000 | +25% |
| Specialty Pharmacy / Mail Order | $145,200 | +10% |
| Pharma Industry (MSL) | $184,800 | +40% |
| Retail Chain Pharmacist | $132,000 | 0% |
| Long-Term Care Pharmacist | $138,600 | +5% |
Best States for Pharmacists — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Pharmacist Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $140,000 | $106,956 | |
| $138,000 | $105,589 | |
| $130,000 | $100,121 | |
| $130,000 | $100,121 | |
| $145,000 | $99,249 | |
| $138,000 | $98,909 | |
| $128,000 | $98,754 | |
| $128,000 | $98,754 | |
| $138,000 | $98,409 | |
10New York | $138,000 | $98,044 |
| $126,000 | $97,387 | |
| $130,000 | $96,130 | |
13Arizona | $128,000 | $95,957 |
14Ohio | $128,000 | $95,669 |
15Colorado | $130,000 | $95,109 |
16Illinois | $132,000 | $95,099 |
| $122,000 | $94,653 | |
| $130,000 | $94,448 | |
| $132,000 | $94,418 | |
| $128,000 | $94,156 | |
21Michigan | $128,000 | $93,565 |
22Virginia | $130,000 | $93,407 |
| $120,000 | $93,250 | |
24Georgia | $128,000 | $93,115 |
| $130,000 | $92,749 | |
| $124,000 | $92,675 | |
| $128,000 | $92,627 | |
28Indiana | $124,000 | $92,392 |
| $120,000 | $92,191 | |
30Delaware | $128,000 | $91,647 |
31Maryland | $130,000 | $91,297 |
32Hawaii | $130,000 | $91,292 |
33Missouri | $124,000 | $91,173 |
34Oregon | $132,000 | $90,970 |
| $124,000 | $90,526 | |
36Utah | $124,000 | $90,502 |
37Kentucky | $122,000 | $90,501 |
| $122,000 | $90,006 | |
39Vermont | $124,000 | $89,946 |
40Nebraska | $122,000 | $89,806 |
41Oklahoma | $122,000 | $89,709 |
42Alabama | $122,000 | $89,694 |
43Iowa | $120,000 | $89,302 |
44Idaho | $122,000 | $89,295 |
45Montana | $122,000 | $89,121 |
46Arkansas | $120,000 | $88,981 |
47Kansas | $122,000 | $88,645 |
| $118,000 | $87,328 | |
49Maine | $122,000 | $87,256 |
| $118,000 | $87,215 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Pharmacist
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Pharmacist Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$89,694
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$105,589
net
Arizona
$95,957
net
Arkansas
$88,981
net
California
$99,249
net
Colorado
$95,109
net
Connecticut
$94,418
net
Delaware
$91,647
net
FloridaNo state tax
$98,754
net
Georgia
$93,115
net
Hawaii
$91,292
net
Idaho
$89,295
net
Illinois
$95,099
net
Indiana
$92,392
net
Iowa
$89,302
net
Kansas
$88,645
net
Kentucky
$90,501
net
Louisiana
$92,675
net
Maine
$87,256
net
Maryland
$91,297
net
Massachusetts
$98,909
net
Michigan
$93,565
net
Minnesota
$92,749
net
Mississippi
$87,215
net
Missouri
$91,173
net
Montana
$89,121
net
Nebraska
$89,806
net
NevadaNo state tax
$100,121
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$98,754
net
New Jersey
$98,409
net
New Mexico
$90,006
net
New York
$98,044
net
North Carolina
$94,156
net
North Dakota
$92,191
net
Ohio
$95,669
net
Oklahoma
$89,709
net
Oregon
$90,970
net
Pennsylvania
$96,130
net
Rhode Island
$94,448
net
South Carolina
$90,526
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$93,250
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$97,387
net
TexasNo state tax
$100,121
net
Utah
$90,502
net
Vermont
$89,946
net
Virginia
$93,407
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$106,956
net
West Virginia
$87,328
net
Wisconsin
$92,627
net
WyomingNo state tax
$94,653
net