Pharmacists Employment and Wages in 2022

In 2022, the Pharmacists occupation accounted for over 325 thousand jobs in the United States, reflecting an increase of 4.1% from 2021. The annual mean wage in 2022 was $129,410, and the median wage was $132,750. Compared to the national average for all occupations, the wages for this occupation were higher by 109.1%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among industry sectors, Retail Trade held the largest number of jobs for the Pharmacists occupation, employing over 184 thousand people in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sector was $123,810, with a median wage of $130,890. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -4% to -4.3%, indicating industry sector wages lagged national wage trends.

Health Care and Social Assistance accounted for a substantial employment share for this occupation, with 108 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $139,140, and the median wage was $137,630. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was an increase compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 6.5% to 7.5%.

The Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding state and local schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OES Designation) sector also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 9 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $125,000 and the median wage was $130,980. The wage variance to the national average experienced an increase compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -3.9% to -3.4%.

Highest Location Concentration

When we examine the top locations in terms of proportional employment within the Pharmacists occupation, we find that Rochester, MN had the highest concentration of jobs (2.4 times the national occupational employment share). The location had an annual mean wage in 2022, at $147,150, and a median wage of $137,790. The location variance to the national average was 13.7%. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH had the next highest concentration of jobs (1.7 times the national occupational employment share) and an annual mean wage of $117,710 and a median wage of $128,070. The industry variance to the national average was -9%. Lexington-Fayette, KY had 1.7 times the national occupational employment share and an annual mean wage of $121,110 and a median wage of $129,620. The industry variance to the national average was -6.4%.

Summary

In 2022, the occupation of Pharmacists witnessed steady growth, with a 4.1% increase in employment, totaling over 325,000 jobs in the United States. Pharmacists earned an annual mean wage of $129,410, with a median wage of $132,750, substantially exceeding the national average for all occupations by 109.1%. Retail Trade employed the largest number of Pharmacists, with over 184,000 individuals in 2022, but wages in this sector slightly lagged behind national trends. Health Care and Social Assistance contributed significantly to employment, with 108,000 people employed in this sub-group, and wages were slightly above the national average. The Federal, State, and Local Government sector also played a role, employing about 9,000 Pharmacists, with wages below the national average. Among the top locations for Pharmacists, Rochester, MN, stood out with a job concentration 2.4 times the national average, accompanied by wages above the national average. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, and Lexington-Fayette, KY, also displayed notable job concentrations but with wages slightly below the national average.

For more detailed insights, visit our Pharmacists Dashboard or consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2022 Pharmacists Occupation Report.