On average, general hospitals pay pharmacists more than retailers, but both industries are not among the five highest paying for the profession, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As of May 2023, the most recent data available, the average pharmacist's salary was $134,790.
The five industries with the highest employment numbers of pharmacists are:
Health and personal care retailers
134,050 pharmacists; $126,990 average salary
General medical and surgical hospitals
86,810 pharmacists; $144,270 average salary
Food and beverage retailers
23,750 pharmacists; $126,300 average salary
General merchandise retailers
20,740 pharmacists; $136,290 average salary
Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods
7,690 pharmacists; $138,240 average salary
None of the above industries are part of the five top-paying for pharmacists, which are:
Outpatient care centers
7,620 pharmacists; $164,180 average salary
Other miscellaneous retailers
510 pharmacists; $154,200 average salary
Home healthcare services
2,660 pharmacists; $146,350 average salary
Management of companies and enterprises
6,460 pharmacists; $145,990 average salary
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals
1,470 pharmacists; $145,440 average salary