Drug Topics compiled a list of the 10 worst 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 1 and 50 for each factor, with 1 being the best and 50 being the worst. Those numbers were then totaled for an overall score, the lowest being the best.
The 10 worst states to live and work as a pharmacist, according to Drug Topics:
- Alaska — Overall Score: 321
Average annual salary: 1
Cost of living: 44
Housing affordability: 36
Employment: 50
Location quotient: 50
Stress levels: 9
Safety: 35
Overall happiness: 48
Uninsured rate: 48 - Montana — Overall Score: 318
Average annual salary: 49
Cost of living: 33
Housing affordability: 43
Employment: 42
Location quotient: 3
Stress levels: 41
Safety: 42
Overall happiness: 31
Uninsured rate: 34 - Colorado — Overall Score: 288
Average annual salary: 30
Cost of living: 34
Housing affordability: 48
Employment: 22
Location quotient: 38
Stress levels: 38
Safety: 36
Overall happiness: 19
Uninsured rate: 23 - Wyoming — Overall Score: 281
Average annual salary: 38
Cost of living: 10
Housing affordability: 38
Employment: 49
Location quotient: 26
Stress levels: 31
Safety: 10
Overall happiness: 34
Uninsured rate: 45 - South Dakota — Overall Score: 281
Average annual salary: 44
Cost of living: 29
Housing affordability: 10
Employment: 44
Location quotient: 4
Stress levels: 46
Safety: 41
Overall happiness: 27
Uninsured rate: 36 - Utah — Overall Score: 278
Average annual salary: 40
Cost of living: 24
Housing affordability: 44
Employment: 34
Location quotient: 49
Stress levels: 49
Safety: 4
Overall happiness: 2
Uninsured rate: 32 - Idaho — Overall Score: 264
Average annual salary: 25
Cost of living: 18
Housing affordability: 40
Employment: 41
Location quotient: 37
Stress levels: 37
Safety: 19
Overall happiness: 6
Uninsured rate: 41 - Oklahoma — Overall Score: 260
Average annual salary: 48
Cost of living: 2
Housing affordability: 7
Employment: 28
Location quotient: 29
Stress levels: 10
Safety: 44
Overall happiness: 43
Uninsured rate: 49 - Nevada — Overall Score: 260
Average annual salary: 16
Cost of living: 38
Housing affordability: 45
Employment: 35
Location quotient: 42
Stress levels: 8
Safety: 20
Overall happiness: 13
Uninsured rate: 43 - Florida — Overall Score: 254
Average annual salary: 33
Cost of living: 28
Housing affordability: 42
Employment: 3
Location quotient: 15
Stress levels: 11
Safety: 48
Overall happiness: 28
Uninsured rate: 46
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