Pharmacists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Pharmacists in the United States earn a median salary of $140,910 per year — about $68 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 335K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +5%.
AI & Automation Risk
Pharmacists face moderate exposure because their core knowledge-based tasks—checking drug interactions, verifying dosages, and analyzing patient records—are highly susceptible to AI automation and digital optimization. However, the role remains anchored by physical requirements such as administering immunizations, performing clinical rounds, and providing real-time, empathetic patient counseling that requires human trust and physical presence.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MNBEST VALUE | $164,250 | Below avg (90.8) | $180,850 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $199,040 | Above avg (110.4) | $180,252 |
| Florence, SC | $155,020 | Below avg (86.8) | $178,648 |
| Napa, CA | $200,580 | Above avg (112.6) | $178,208 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $172,630 | Average (97.5) | $176,975 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $154,860 | Below avg (88.8) | $174,455 |
| Yuma, AZ | $161,630 | Below avg (92.7) | $174,347 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $159,020 | Below avg (91.8) | $173,283 |
| Mankato, MN | $157,010 | Below avg (91.0) | $172,624 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $152,710 | Below avg (89.2) | $171,117 |
| Kokomo, IN | $151,730 | Below avg (89.6) | $169,251 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $171,900 | Average (101.6) | $169,173 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $153,610 | Below avg (91.1) | $168,708 |
| Midland, TX | $161,260 | Below avg (95.8) | $168,360 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $147,530 | Below avg (87.6) | $168,352 |