Pharmacist Salary Guide 2025: Pharmacy Compensation by Setting, Specialty, and State
The average pharmacist salary in 2025 ranges from $110,000 to $145,000 annually, with substantial variation based on practice setting, specialty certification, geographic location, and years of experience. Understanding current pharmacy compensation trends is crucial for healthcare organizations, retail chains, and health systems looking to recruit and retain qualified pharmacy professionals.
National Pharmacist Salary Overview
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and pharmacy industry compensation surveys, the median pharmacist salary in 2025 is approximately $128,000, with the following distribution by experience level:
- Entry-Level Pharmacists (0-2 years): $105,000 - $120,000
- Mid-Career Pharmacists (3-5 years): $115,000 - $135,000
- Experienced Pharmacists (6-10 years): $125,000 - $145,000
- Senior/Clinical Pharmacists (10+ years): $135,000 - $160,000+
For organizations recruiting pharmacists, understanding these compensation benchmarks across different practice settings helps create competitive offers in a market with increasing demand for specialized pharmacy services.
Pharmacist Salary by Practice Setting
Practice setting significantly impacts pharmacist compensation and job responsibilities:
Hospital Pharmacist Salary
Average Range: $120,000 - $145,000
Hospital pharmacists typically earn premium compensation due to:
- Complex medication management
- Critical care responsibilities
- 24/7 operational coverage
- Specialty certifications
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Hospital Setting Breakdown:
- Large Academic Medical Centers: $130,000 - $155,000
- Community Hospitals: $120,000 - $140,000
- Specialty Hospitals (oncology, cardiac): $135,000 - $150,000
- Critical Care/ICU Pharmacists: $140,000 - $160,000
Premium Pay Factors:
- Night/weekend shift differentials (+$5K-$15K annually)
- On-call responsibilities (+$3K-$8K)
- Board certification in specialty (+$5K-$10K)
- Clinical precepting (+$2K-$5K)
Retail Pharmacist Salary
Average Range: $110,000 - $130,000
Retail pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies offer competitive compensation with different work-life balance considerations:
Retail Setting Breakdown:
- Large Chains (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid): $115,000 - $130,000
- Grocery Store Pharmacies (Kroger, Safeway): $112,000 - $128,000
- Independent Community Pharmacies: $110,000 - $125,000
- Compounding Pharmacies: $115,000 - $135,000
Retail Compensation Considerations:
- Bonus structures (prescription volume, immunizations)
- Floating pharmacist premiums (+$5K-$10K)
- Store manager responsibilities (+$8K-$15K)
- Weekend/evening differentials
- Sign-on bonuses ($5K-$15K)
Clinical Pharmacist Salary
Average Range: $120,000 - $150,000
Clinical pharmacists in specialized settings command premium compensation:
Clinical Specialties:
- Ambulatory Care Pharmacist: $120,000 - $140,000
- Oncology Pharmacist: $130,000 - $155,000
- Infectious Disease Pharmacist: $128,000 - $150,000
- Cardiology Pharmacist: $125,000 - $145,000
- Transplant Pharmacist: $135,000 - $160,000
- Psychiatric Pharmacist: $125,000 - $145,000
- Pediatric Pharmacist: $125,000 - $145,000
Clinical Pharmacy Premiums:
- Board certification (BCPS, BCOP, etc.): +$8K-$12K
- Antimicrobial stewardship programs: +$5K-$10K
- Collaborative practice agreements: +$3K-$8K
- Residency/fellowship completion: +$10K-$15K
Other Practice Settings
Long-Term Care/Consulting Pharmacy: $115,000 - $135,000
- Medication management in SNFs and assisted living
- Consultant pharmacist roles
- Geriatric medication expertise
Managed Care/PBM Pharmacist: $125,000 - $150,000
- Formulary management
- Utilization management
- Prior authorization review
- Often remote work options
Federal/Government Pharmacist: $120,000 - $145,000
- VA Medical Centers: $125,000 - $145,000
- Military pharmacists: $110,000 - $135,000 (plus benefits)
- Public health service: $115,000 - $140,000
- Comprehensive federal benefits package
Pharmacy Informatics: $130,000 - $160,000
- EHR optimization
- Clinical decision support
- Medication safety technology
- High demand specialty
Pharmacist Salary by State
Geographic location creates significant pharmacist salary variation:
Top 15 Highest-Paying States for Pharmacists
-
California: $145,000 - $170,000
- San Francisco Bay Area: $155,000 - $180,000
- Los Angeles metro: $150,000 - $175,000
- San Diego: $145,000 - $165,000
- Strong demand, high cost of living
-
Alaska: $140,000 - $165,000
- Remote location premiums
- Limited pharmacy workforce
- Relocation incentives common
-
Vermont: $135,000 - $155,000
- Rural health incentives
- Loan repayment programs
- Small state, high demand
-
Maine: $130,000 - $150,000
- Rural pharmacy shortages
- Aging population needs
-
Washington: $130,000 - $150,000
- Seattle metro: $135,000 - $160,000
- Strong healthcare market
-
Oregon: $128,000 - $148,000
- Portland metro: $132,000 - $155,000
- Growing healthcare sector
-
Hawaii: $125,000 - $145,000
- Island location premiums
- Cost of living adjustments
-
Wisconsin: $125,000 - $145,000
- Strong pharmacy education infrastructure
- Rural incentive programs
-
New York: $120,000 - $145,000
- NYC metro: $125,000 - $150,000
- Hospital pharmacist demand
-
Arizona: $120,000 - $140,000
- Phoenix metro: $125,000 - $145,000
- Growing retiree population
-
Nevada: $120,000 - $140,000
- Las Vegas metro: $122,000 - $145,000
-
Massachusetts: $118,000 - $140,000
- Boston metro: $125,000 - $150,000
- Academic medical centers
-
Minnesota: $118,000 - $138,000
- Strong health systems
- Mayo Clinic region
-
Texas: $115,000 - $138,000
- Major metros: $120,000 - $145,000
- No state income tax benefit
-
Colorado: $115,000 - $135,000
- Denver metro: $120,000 - $140,000
Regional Salary Trends
West Coast: Highest pharmacist salaries, driven by cost of living, pharmacist-to-population ratios, and strong health systems.
Northeast: Competitive compensation, especially in urban areas and academic medical centers with clinical pharmacy programs.
Midwest: Moderate to competitive salaries ($115,000 - $135,000 average), with rural areas offering incentives to address workforce shortages.
South: Generally moderate salaries ($110,000 - $130,000 average), but growing markets and no state income tax in some states (TX, FL, TN) improve net compensation.
Rural Areas: Often offer premium pay (+$10K-$20K), sign-on bonuses, loan forgiveness programs, and relocation assistance to attract pharmacists.
Board Certification Impact on Salary
Specialty board certification significantly impacts pharmacist compensation:
Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) Certifications
- BCPS (Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist): +$5,000 - $10,000
- BCOP (Oncology Pharmacy): +$8,000 - $15,000
- BCACP (Ambulatory Care): +$5,000 - $10,000
- BCCCP (Critical Care): +$8,000 - $12,000
- BCGP (Geriatric Pharmacy): +$5,000 - $8,000
- BCPPS (Pediatric Pharmacy): +$6,000 - $10,000
- BCIDP (Infectious Diseases): +$8,000 - $12,000
- BCNSP (Nutrition Support): +$6,000 - $10,000
- BCPS-AQ (Added Qualifications: Cardiology, Infectious Disease): +$7,000 - $12,000
Advanced Training Impact
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residency: +$8,000 - $15,000 base salary
- PGY2 Specialty Residency: +$12,000 - $20,000 base salary
- Fellowship Training: +$10,000 - $18,000 base salary
- MTM Certification: +$3,000 - $6,000
- Immunization Certification: Standard requirement (no premium)
PharmD vs BS Pharmacy Salary
Most practicing pharmacists now hold Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degrees, as BS Pharmacy programs were phased out:
PharmD (Entry-to-Practice Degree)
- Standard Compensation: $110,000 - $145,000
- Required: All new pharmacy graduates since 2000
- Career Flexibility: Access to all practice settings
BS Pharmacy (Legacy Degree)
- Comparable Compensation: $108,000 - $140,000
- Licensing: Grandfathered pharmacists maintain full licensure
- Career Impact: No practical salary difference for experienced practitioners
Compensation Beyond Base Salary
Comprehensive pharmacist compensation packages include:
Financial Benefits
- Sign-On Bonuses: $5,000 - $25,000 (especially rural areas)
- Student Loan Repayment: $10,000 - $50,000 total (government programs, rural health)
- Relocation Assistance: $3,000 - $10,000
- Annual Bonuses: 3-8% of base salary (performance-based)
- Shift Differentials: $2-$8/hour for nights/weekends
Professional Development
- Continuing Education Allowance: $1,000 - $3,000/year
- Residency Precepting Stipends: $2,000 - $5,000/year
- Board Certification Exam Coverage: $600 - $1,000
- Professional Organization Memberships: $200 - $500/year
- Conferences and Travel: $1,500 - $4,000/year
Time Off and Flexibility
- PTO: 15-25 days annually
- CME Days: 3-7 days paid
- Sabbatical Programs: Some academic/hospital settings
- Flexible Scheduling: 4x10 or 3x12 shifts
- Remote Work: Managed care, PBM, informatics roles
Health and Retirement
- Health Insurance: Employer-sponsored (medical, dental, vision)
- Retirement Plans: 401(k) with 3-6% match, pension plans (government)
- Life Insurance: 1-2x salary
- Disability Insurance: Short and long-term coverage
- Malpractice Insurance: Employer-provided coverage
Pharmacy Job Market Outlook 2025
The pharmacy job market in 2025 shows mixed trends by specialty:
High-Demand Areas
- Clinical Pharmacy Specialists (oncology, infectious disease, critical care)
- Hospital Pharmacists (especially night/weekend shifts)
- Rural Community Pharmacists (persistent shortages)
- Pharmacy Informatics Specialists (technology integration)
- Ambulatory Care Pharmacists (chronic disease management)
Competitive Markets
- Urban Retail Pharmacy (market saturation in some metros)
- Chain Pharmacy Management (corporate consolidation)
Emerging Opportunities
- Pharmacogenomics Specialists
- Specialty Pharmacy (biologics, orphan drugs)
- Transitions of Care Pharmacists
- Population Health Pharmacists
- Telehealth/Digital Health Pharmacists
Recruiting Top Pharmacy Talent
For healthcare organizations and pharmacy employers looking to recruit pharmacists, competitive strategies include:
1. Offer Specialty-Competitive Compensation
Research setting-specific salary ranges. Oncology and critical care pharmacists require premium pay reflecting specialized expertise.
2. Emphasize Total Compensation
Highlight comprehensive benefits:
- Student loan repayment assistance
- Generous CME budgets
- Board certification support
- Flexible scheduling options
- Career advancement pathways
3. Provide Professional Development
Support residency training programs, board certification preparation, and specialty practice opportunities that enhance pharmacist expertise and job satisfaction.
4. Create Positive Practice Environments
- Appropriate technician support ratios
- Manageable prescription volumes
- Clinical practice integration
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Work-life balance initiatives
5. Leverage Rural Health Incentives
For rural positions, maximize:
- Federal loan repayment programs (NHSC)
- State-specific incentive programs
- Relocation packages
- Housing assistance
- Community integration support
6. Highlight Advanced Practice Opportunities
Pharmacists seek clinical integration:
- Collaborative practice agreements
- Direct patient care responsibilities
- MTM and chronic disease management
- Antimicrobial stewardship programs
- Specialty clinic partnerships
7. Be Prepared for Negotiations
- Know market rates for your setting and location
- Have flexibility in sign-on bonuses and relocation
- Consider alternative compensation (extra CME funds, schedule preferences)
- Move quickly when you identify qualified candidates
Find Pharmacists to Recruit
Looking to hire pharmacists for your healthcare facility or pharmacy organization? HealthTal provides access to licensed pharmacists across all practice settings and specialties.
Browse our database of pharmacists:
- All practice settings (hospital, retail, clinical, ambulatory care)
- Search by state and city
- Licensed PharmD pharmacists
- Board-certified specialists
- Direct contact information
- Filter by specialty certification and experience
Conclusion
Pharmacist salaries in 2025 reflect the diverse opportunities across practice settings and specialty areas. To successfully recruit pharmacists:
- Offer setting-specific competitive compensation - Hospital and clinical pharmacists command premium pay
- Emphasize comprehensive total rewards packages - Student loan assistance and professional development matter
- Support board certification and specialization - Invest in pharmacist expertise
- Create collaborative practice environments - Pharmacists value clinical integration and interdisciplinary teamwork
- Leverage rural and federal incentive programs - Maximize recruitment tools for hard-to-fill positions
Understanding pharmacy compensation trends across all practice settings enables healthcare organizations to make informed recruitment decisions and attract the pharmacy professionals essential to optimal medication management and patient care.
Salary data compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) surveys, state boards of pharmacy, and HealthTal database insights. Figures represent 2025 market rates across all pharmacy practice settings.
