Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Pharmacists typically need a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Every state requires pharmacists to be licensed. PayThe median annual wage for pharmacists was $140,910 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 12,500 openings for pharmacists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for pharmacists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of pharmacists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about pharmacists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for pharmacists was $140,910 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 12,500 openings for pharmacists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for pharmacists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of pharmacists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about pharmacists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 12,500 openings for pharmacists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for pharmacists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of pharmacists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about pharmacists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications and provide information to patients about the drugs and their use.
Work Environment
Pharmacists work in pharmacies, including those in drug, general merchandise, and grocery stores. They also work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities that are open 24 hours. Most pharmacists work full time, and some work nights, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become a Pharmacist
Pharmacists typically need a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Every state requires pharmacists to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for pharmacists was $140,910 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 12,500 openings for pharmacists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for pharmacists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of pharmacists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about pharmacists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Pharmacists work in pharmacies, including those in drug, general merchandise, and grocery stores. They also work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities that are open 24 hours. Most pharmacists work full time, and some work nights, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become a Pharmacist
Pharmacists typically need a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Every state requires pharmacists to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for pharmacists was $140,910 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 12,500 openings for pharmacists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for pharmacists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of pharmacists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about pharmacists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for pharmacists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of pharmacists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about pharmacists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about pharmacists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.