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.
US Average
$140,920
BLS, May 2025
Best State (Net)
$121,460
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$105,254
on $137,510 · No state tax
Job Growth
3%
Source: BLS, May 2025 · Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051)
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+
US Pay Range
Pay percentiles for Pharmacists across the US (BLS, May 2025), with the estimated take-home in Texas.
Bottom 10%
$99,290
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$78,681
25th percentile
$129,380
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$99,697
Median
$140,910
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$107,578
75th percentile
$161,840
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$121,884
Top 10%
$174,230
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$130,352
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
BLS average pay in each state (BLS, May 2025) and the estimated take-home for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Average Pay (BLS) | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $161,220 | $121,460 | |
| $159,100 | $120,011 | |
| $162,340 | $109,262 | |
| $142,330 | $108,549 | |
| $150,510 | $108,226 | |
| $140,720 | $107,448 | |
| $139,830 | $106,840 | |
| $139,530 | $106,635 | |
| $159,230 | $106,380 | |
10Hawaii | $153,220 | $105,704 |
11Arizona | $142,330 | $105,393 |
| $137,510 | $105,254 | |
| $146,010 | $103,966 | |
| $137,110 | $103,588 | |
15Delaware | $147,290 | $103,559 |
| $143,050 | $103,362 | |
| $147,060 | $103,070 | |
18Indiana | $140,030 | $102,875 |
| $138,740 | $101,835 | |
20Iowa | $138,340 | $101,216 |
| $131,270 | $100,989 | |
22Virginia | $141,990 | $100,966 |
23Vermont | $140,780 | $100,675 |
| $137,990 | $100,585 | |
| $141,350 | $100,471 | |
26Idaho | $139,410 | $100,272 |
| $130,190 | $100,251 | |
28Kentucky | $136,480 | $99,891 |
29Utah | $138,140 | $99,537 |
30Missouri | $137,030 | $99,423 |
| $138,660 | $99,327 | |
32Arkansas | $135,780 | $99,248 |
33New York | $140,260 | $99,085 |
34Nebraska | $136,260 | $99,079 |
35Illinois | $138,070 | $98,947 |
| $139,150 | $98,851 | |
37Montana | $137,160 | $98,626 |
38Georgia | $136,660 | $98,602 |
39Ohio | $132,420 | $98,569 |
| $136,730 | $98,563 | |
41Michigan | $135,380 | $98,295 |
42Maryland | $140,730 | $97,826 |
43Kansas | $136,170 | $97,540 |
44Maine | $138,430 | $97,465 |
45Oklahoma | $133,630 | $97,134 |
| $130,490 | $96,916 | |
47Alabama | $132,750 | $96,633 |
| $131,300 | $95,885 | |
| $130,320 | $95,859 | |
| $123,300 | $90,187 |
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
$96,633
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$121,460
net
Arizona
$105,393
net
Arkansas
$99,248
net
California
$109,262
net
Colorado
$108,226
net
Connecticut
$98,851
net
Delaware
$103,559
net
FloridaNo state tax
$100,251
net
Georgia
$98,602
net
Hawaii
$105,704
net
Idaho
$100,272
net
Illinois
$98,947
net
Indiana
$102,875
net
Iowa
$101,216
net
Kansas
$97,540
net
Kentucky
$99,891
net
Louisiana
$96,916
net
Maine
$97,465
net
Maryland
$97,826
net
Massachusetts
$99,327
net
Michigan
$98,295
net
Minnesota
$103,070
net
Mississippi
$95,859
net
Missouri
$99,423
net
Montana
$98,626
net
Nebraska
$99,079
net
NevadaNo state tax
$106,635
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$107,448
net
New Jersey
$100,471
net
New Mexico
$103,362
net
New York
$99,085
net
North Carolina
$100,585
net
North Dakota
$103,588
net
Ohio
$98,569
net
Oklahoma
$97,134
net
Oregon
$106,380
net
Pennsylvania
$101,835
net
Rhode Island
$90,187
net
South Carolina
$98,563
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$108,549
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$100,989
net
TexasNo state tax
$105,254
net
Utah
$99,537
net
Vermont
$100,675
net
Virginia
$100,966
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$120,011
net
West Virginia
$95,885
net
Wisconsin
$103,966
net
WyomingNo state tax
$106,840
net