National Salary Overview
VS
Physicists earns $10,872 more (7.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$142,890
$153,762
Average (Mean) Salary
$140,171
$164,071
Total Employment
321,960
20,040
States with Higher Pay
14
29
Salary by State: Pharmacists vs Physicists
Showing 43 states where both occupations have BLS data. Pharmacists pays more in 14 states; Physicists pays more in 29.
| State | Pharmacists | Physicists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $134,630 | $139,330 | $-4,700 | ||
| Arizona | $146,930 | $130,500 | +$16,430 | ||
| Arkansas | $136,060 | $135,820 | +$240 | ||
| California | $164,610 | $207,490 | $-42,880 | ||
| Colorado | $156,030 | $104,580 | +$51,450 | ||
| Connecticut | $141,290 | $180,300 | $-39,010 | ||
| Delaware | $152,880 | $82,590 | +$70,290 | ||
| District of Columbia | $153,400 | $157,040 | $-3,640 | ||
| Florida | $135,970 | $225,390 | $-89,420 | ||
| Georgia | $137,120 | $144,870 | $-7,750 | ||
| Hawaii | $163,220 | $117,190 | +$46,030 | ||
| Idaho | $144,900 | $135,150 | +$9,750 | ||
| Illinois | $139,080 | $137,140 | +$1,940 | ||
| Indiana | $144,290 | $105,940 | +$38,350 | ||
| Iowa | $138,860 | $178,110 | $-39,250 | ||
| Kentucky | $136,530 | $180,910 | $-44,380 | ||
| Louisiana | $132,410 | $166,240 | $-33,830 | ||
| Maryland | $138,990 | $174,390 | $-35,400 | ||
| Massachusetts | $138,170 | $106,410 | +$31,760 | ||
| Michigan | $137,860 | $94,520 | +$43,340 | ||
| Minnesota | $159,740 | $171,220 | $-11,480 | ||
| Mississippi | $133,230 | $129,970 | +$3,260 | ||
| Missouri | $137,610 | $140,460 | $-2,850 | ||
| Montana | $142,080 | $103,800 | +$38,280 | ||
| Nevada | $140,030 | $154,030 | $-14,000 | ||
| New Hampshire | $143,020 | $214,030 | $-71,010 | ||
| New Jersey | $137,620 | $163,270 | $-25,650 | ||
| New Mexico | $147,000 | $165,340 | $-18,340 | ||
| New York | $142,090 | $181,970 | $-39,880 | ||
| North Carolina | $138,860 | $174,180 | $-35,320 | ||
| Ohio | $137,020 | $162,900 | $-25,880 | ||
| Oklahoma | $135,140 | $200,050 | $-64,910 | ||
| Oregon | $165,960 | $200,320 | $-34,360 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $138,160 | $210,990 | $-72,830 | ||
| Rhode Island | $128,180 | $155,150 | $-26,970 | ||
| South Carolina | $135,700 | $138,400 | $-2,700 | ||
| South Dakota | $146,790 | $83,050 | +$63,740 | ||
| Tennessee | $133,390 | $165,010 | $-31,620 | ||
| Texas | $138,260 | $184,040 | $-45,780 | ||
| Utah | $144,240 | $156,760 | $-12,520 | ||
| Virginia | $144,060 | $145,040 | $-980 | ||
| Washington | $160,610 | $134,790 | +$25,820 | ||
| Wisconsin | $148,740 | $173,120 | $-24,380 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Pharmacists vs Physicists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Pharmacists or Physicists?
On average across all states, a Physicists earns more than a Pharmacists. The national median salary difference is $10,872 (7.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Pharmacists earn more than a Physicists?
A Pharmacists earns a higher median salary than a Physicists in 14 out of 43 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physicists pays more in 29 states.
What is the median salary for a Pharmacists vs Physicists?
The national median salary for a Pharmacists is $142,890 per year, compared to $153,762 for a Physicists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Pharmacists or Physicists?
There are more people employed as Pharmacists. BLS reports approximately 321,960 Pharmacists positions and 20,040 Physicists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Pharmacists or Physicists?
Both Pharmacists and Physicists are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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