Drug Topics compiled a list of the top 10 states to live and work as a pharmacist by compiling data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, WalletHub and U.S. News and World Report.
The authors analyzed the states based on nine factors, including things like average annual salary, cost of living, stress levels, safety, overall happiness and the uninsured rate.
Every state was given a score between one and 50 for each factor, with one being the best and 50 being the worst. Those numbers were then totalled for an overall score, the lowest being the best.
The 10 best states to live and work as a pharmacist, according to Drug Topics:
- Minnesota — Overall score: 153
Average annual salary: 7
Cost of living: 31
Housing affordability: 17
Employment: 16
Location quotient: 22
Stress levels: 50
Safety: 1
Overall happiness: 3
Uninsured rate: 6 - Kentucky — Overall score: 162
Average annual salary: 23
Cost of living: 14
Housing affordability: 13
Employment: 24
Location quotient: 8
Stress levels: 4
Safety: 21
Overall happiness: 45
Uninsured rate: 10 - Michigan — Overall score: 188
Average annual salary: 39
Cost of living: 5
Housing affordability: 9
Employment: 11
Location quotient: 31
Stress levels: 20
Safety: 29
Overall happiness: 36
Uninsured rate: 8 - Pennsylvania — Overall score: 189
Average annual salary: 45
Cost of living: 30
Housing affordability: 4
Employment: 5
Location quotient: 11
Stress levels: 26
Safety: 33
Overall happiness: 26
Uninsured rate: 9 - Iowa — Overall score: 192
Average annual salary: 46
cost of living: 13
Housing affordability: 1
Employment: 30
Location quotient: 35
Stress levels: 45
Safety: 7
Overall happiness: 11
Uninsured rate: 4 - Ohio — Overall score: 192
Average annual salary: 43
Cost of living:16
Housing affordability 2
Employment: 6
Location quotient: 19
Stress levels: 19
Safety: 34
Overall happiness: 37
Uninsured rate: 16 - Arizona — Overall score: 193
Average annual salary: 15
Cost of living: 26
Housing affordability 37
Employment: 13
Location quotient: 7
Stress levels: 12
Safety: 26
Overall happiness: 18
Uninsured rate: 39 - Illinois — Overall score: 194
Average annual salary: 14
Cost of living: 23
Housing affordability: 16
Employment: 7
Location quotient: 34
Stress levels: 24
Safety: 32
Overall happiness: 24
Uninsured rate: 20 - Wisconsin — 194
Average annual salary: 5
Cost of living: 22
Housing affordability 15
Employment: 21
Location quotient: 39
Stress levels: 43
Safety: 17
Overall happiness: 25
Uninsured rate: 7 - Nebraska — 198
Average annual salary: 34
Cost of living: 21
Housing affordability: 5
Employment: 33
Location quotient: 9
Stress levels: 33
Safety: 24
Overall happiness: 9
Uninsured rate: 30