Pharmacist: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Pharmacists earn a national median of $137,480/yr with 4.6% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Medicine and Dentistry, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service.
Median Salary
$137,480
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
4.6%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
328,870
2024 data
Typical Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Pharmacist
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Pharmacist candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Pharmacist performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Pharmacist roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 4.6% for Pharmacist roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 328,870
- Projected Growth
- 4.6%
- Typical Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
Top Employers
Companies actively hiring for Pharmacist roles, ranked by disclosure volume. Salaries reflect base pay from employer disclosure records.
| Company | Median Disclosed Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| CVS Health Corporation | $135,200 | 10 |
Base salary only — excludes equity and bonuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Pharmacist do?
- Pharmacists apply expertise in Medicine and Dentistry, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Writing.
- How much does a Pharmacist make?
- The national median salary for a Pharmacist is $137,480 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Pharmacist a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Pharmacist roles is projected to grow 4.6% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 328,870 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Pharmacist?
- The typical entry-level education for a Pharmacist is Doctoral or professional degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Pharmacists need?
- The most important skills for Pharmacist roles based on verified occupational data: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Writing, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation. Key tools and technologies include: eClinicalWorks EHR software, Epic Systems, MEDITECH software.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
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Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.