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)
$106,692
Washington
Take-Home TX
$101,224
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):
$43,830
1–2 year post-PharmD; clinical specialty
Staff Pharmacist (1–5 yrs)
$125,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$96,440
Hospital, retail, specialty pharmacy
Clinical/Specialty Pharmacist (5+ yrs)
$150,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$113,527
PGY2 specialty: oncology, ID, CC
Pharmacy Director / PIC
$195,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$144,936
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 | $106,692 | |
| $138,000 | $105,325 | |
| $130,000 | $99,857 | |
| $130,000 | $99,857 | |
| $138,000 | $99,175 | |
| $128,000 | $98,490 | |
| $128,000 | $98,490 | |
| $145,000 | $98,020 | |
| $138,000 | $97,490 | |
| $126,000 | $97,123 | |
11New York | $138,000 | $96,900 |
| $130,000 | $96,327 | |
13Arizona | $128,000 | $95,665 |
14Illinois | $132,000 | $95,433 |
| $132,000 | $95,374 | |
| $130,000 | $95,257 | |
17Colorado | $130,000 | $94,797 |
18Ohio | $128,000 | $94,535 |
19Maryland | $130,000 | $94,395 |
| $122,000 | $94,389 | |
21Michigan | $128,000 | $93,688 |
22Virginia | $130,000 | $93,245 |
| $128,000 | $93,123 | |
| $120,000 | $93,008 | |
| $128,000 | $92,501 | |
26Indiana | $124,000 | $92,323 |
27Georgia | $128,000 | $92,286 |
28Delaware | $128,000 | $92,275 |
| $124,000 | $91,124 | |
30Utah | $124,000 | $90,797 |
| $120,000 | $90,383 | |
32Missouri | $124,000 | $90,361 |
33Alabama | $122,000 | $90,109 |
| $122,000 | $90,002 | |
35Oregon | $132,000 | $89,641 |
36Kentucky | $122,000 | $89,574 |
37Hawaii | $130,000 | $89,507 |
38Oklahoma | $122,000 | $89,307 |
39Kansas | $122,000 | $89,039 |
| $124,000 | $88,780 | |
| $130,000 | $88,530 | |
42Arkansas | $120,000 | $88,388 |
43Idaho | $122,000 | $88,183 |
44Nebraska | $122,000 | $88,140 |
45Montana | $122,000 | $88,076 |
| $118,000 | $87,481 | |
47Vermont | $124,000 | $87,472 |
48Iowa | $120,000 | $87,023 |
| $118,000 | $86,966 | |
50Maine | $122,000 | $86,739 |
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
$90,109
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$105,325
net
Arizona
$95,665
net
Arkansas
$88,388
net
California
$98,020
net
Colorado
$94,797
net
Connecticut
$95,374
net
Delaware
$92,275
net
FloridaNo state tax
$98,490
net
Georgia
$92,286
net
Hawaii
$89,507
net
Idaho
$88,183
net
Illinois
$95,433
net
Indiana
$92,323
net
Iowa
$87,023
net
Kansas
$89,039
net
Kentucky
$89,574
net
Louisiana
$91,124
net
Maine
$86,739
net
Maryland
$94,395
net
Massachusetts
$99,175
net
Michigan
$93,688
net
Minnesota
$88,530
net
Mississippi
$87,481
net
Missouri
$90,361
net
Montana
$88,076
net
Nebraska
$88,140
net
NevadaNo state tax
$99,857
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$98,490
net
New Jersey
$97,490
net
New Mexico
$90,002
net
New York
$96,900
net
North Carolina
$93,123
net
North Dakota
$90,383
net
Ohio
$94,535
net
Oklahoma
$89,307
net
Oregon
$89,641
net
Pennsylvania
$96,327
net
Rhode Island
$95,257
net
South Carolina
$88,780
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$93,008
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$97,123
net
TexasNo state tax
$99,857
net
Utah
$90,797
net
Vermont
$87,472
net
Virginia
$93,245
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$106,692
net
West Virginia
$86,966
net
Wisconsin
$92,501
net
WyomingNo state tax
$94,389
net