National Salary Overview
VS
Pharmacists earns $7,516 more (5.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$136,336
$128,820
Average (Mean) Salary
$133,102
$136,460
Total Employment
331,700
77,350
States with Higher Pay
35
14
Salary by State: Pharmacists vs Purchasing Managers
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Pharmacists pays more in 35 states; Purchasing Managers pays more in 14.
| State | Pharmacists | Purchasing Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $131,880 | $124,130 | +$7,750 | ||
| Alaska | $152,730 | $107,380 | +$45,350 | ||
| Arizona | $136,960 | $134,800 | +$2,160 | ||
| Arkansas | $131,510 | $108,850 | +$22,660 | ||
| California | $160,950 | $153,510 | +$7,440 | ||
| Colorado | $144,240 | $153,980 | $-9,740 | ||
| Connecticut | $136,250 | $129,760 | +$6,490 | ||
| District of Columbia | $140,320 | $163,240 | $-22,920 | ||
| Florida | $134,500 | $131,740 | +$2,760 | ||
| Georgia | $131,440 | $131,670 | $-230 | ||
| Hawaii | $137,470 | $109,660 | +$27,810 | ||
| Idaho | $133,580 | $104,890 | +$28,690 | ||
| Illinois | $135,120 | $136,930 | $-1,810 | ||
| Indiana | $134,930 | $113,330 | +$21,600 | ||
| Iowa | $130,890 | $114,340 | +$16,550 | ||
| Kansas | $132,920 | $131,380 | +$1,540 | ||
| Kentucky | $131,890 | $109,990 | +$21,900 | ||
| Louisiana | $128,100 | $108,570 | +$19,530 | ||
| Maine | $135,430 | $128,010 | +$7,420 | ||
| Maryland | $133,400 | $145,600 | $-12,200 | ||
| Massachusetts | $135,200 | $154,760 | $-19,560 | ||
| Michigan | $134,660 | $134,970 | $-310 | ||
| Minnesota | $150,170 | $139,790 | +$10,380 | ||
| Mississippi | $130,390 | $101,240 | +$29,150 | ||
| Missouri | $134,450 | $135,720 | $-1,270 | ||
| Montana | $133,480 | $103,000 | +$30,480 | ||
| Nebraska | $132,020 | $124,190 | +$7,830 | ||
| Nevada | $134,170 | $104,380 | +$29,790 | ||
| New Hampshire | $141,020 | $140,290 | +$730 | ||
| New Jersey | $131,190 | $168,210 | $-37,020 | ||
| New Mexico | $134,890 | $131,600 | +$3,290 | ||
| New York | $134,360 | $165,930 | $-31,570 | ||
| North Carolina | $135,370 | $129,140 | +$6,230 | ||
| North Dakota | $134,670 | $134,400 | +$270 | ||
| Ohio | $132,710 | $128,500 | +$4,210 | ||
| Oklahoma | $131,040 | $106,730 | +$24,310 | ||
| Oregon | $154,550 | $126,330 | +$28,220 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $135,640 | $134,010 | +$1,630 | ||
| Rhode Island | $126,380 | $139,100 | $-12,720 | ||
| South Carolina | $134,540 | $113,110 | +$21,430 | ||
| South Dakota | $135,500 | $126,310 | +$9,190 | ||
| Tennessee | $130,510 | $122,270 | +$8,240 | ||
| Texas | $134,880 | $128,960 | +$5,920 | ||
| Utah | $137,710 | $119,370 | +$18,340 | ||
| Vermont | $138,720 | $96,110 | +$42,610 | ||
| Virginia | $137,550 | $153,600 | $-16,050 | ||
| Washington | $153,500 | $154,190 | $-690 | ||
| West Virginia | $130,150 | $132,350 | $-2,200 | ||
| Wisconsin | $139,630 | $121,880 | +$17,750 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Pharmacists or Purchasing Managers?
On average across all states, a Pharmacists earns more than a Purchasing Managers. The national median salary difference is $7,516 (5.8%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Pharmacists earn more than a Purchasing Managers?
A Pharmacists earns a higher median salary than a Purchasing Managers in 35 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Purchasing Managers pays more in 14 states.
What is the median salary for a Pharmacists vs Purchasing Managers?
The national median salary for a Pharmacists is $136,336 per year, compared to $128,820 for a Purchasing Managers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Pharmacists or Purchasing Managers?
There are more people employed as Pharmacists. BLS reports approximately 331,700 Pharmacists positions and 77,350 Purchasing Managers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Pharmacists or Purchasing Managers?
Both Pharmacists and Purchasing Managers 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.
Explore Career Options
Build a Professional Resume Get Certified & Earn More Learn a New Language Build In-Demand Tech Skills Explore Top Courses Advance Your CareerCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.