National Salary Overview
VS
Pharmacists earns $3,047 more (2.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$142,890
$139,842
Average (Mean) Salary
$140,171
$146,959
Total Employment
321,960
84,150
States with Higher Pay
32
18
Salary by State: Pharmacists vs Purchasing Managers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Pharmacists pays more in 32 states; Purchasing Managers pays more in 18.
| State | Pharmacists | Purchasing Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $134,630 | $130,710 | +$3,920 | ||
| Alaska | $167,310 | $114,650 | +$52,660 | ||
| Arizona | $146,930 | $138,940 | +$7,990 | ||
| Arkansas | $136,060 | $156,450 | $-20,390 | ||
| California | $164,610 | $159,830 | +$4,780 | ||
| Colorado | $156,030 | $171,250 | $-15,220 | ||
| Connecticut | $141,290 | $138,680 | +$2,610 | ||
| District of Columbia | $153,400 | $175,720 | $-22,320 | ||
| Florida | $135,970 | $133,410 | +$2,560 | ||
| Georgia | $137,120 | $155,360 | $-18,240 | ||
| Hawaii | $163,220 | $113,490 | +$49,730 | ||
| Idaho | $144,900 | $136,970 | +$7,930 | ||
| Illinois | $139,080 | $153,370 | $-14,290 | ||
| Indiana | $144,290 | $126,880 | +$17,410 | ||
| Iowa | $138,860 | $121,580 | +$17,280 | ||
| Kansas | $137,800 | $159,850 | $-22,050 | ||
| Kentucky | $136,530 | $124,350 | +$12,180 | ||
| Louisiana | $132,410 | $109,630 | +$22,780 | ||
| Maine | $140,930 | $135,970 | +$4,960 | ||
| Maryland | $138,990 | $161,470 | $-22,480 | ||
| Massachusetts | $138,170 | $170,750 | $-32,580 | ||
| Michigan | $137,860 | $142,120 | $-4,260 | ||
| Minnesota | $159,740 | $144,810 | +$14,930 | ||
| Mississippi | $133,230 | $122,940 | +$10,290 | ||
| Missouri | $137,610 | $132,100 | +$5,510 | ||
| Montana | $142,080 | $123,480 | +$18,600 | ||
| Nebraska | $139,330 | $124,010 | +$15,320 | ||
| Nevada | $140,030 | $120,270 | +$19,760 | ||
| New Hampshire | $143,020 | $162,900 | $-19,880 | ||
| New Jersey | $137,620 | $174,520 | $-36,900 | ||
| New Mexico | $147,000 | $134,790 | +$12,210 | ||
| New York | $142,090 | $166,300 | $-24,210 | ||
| North Carolina | $138,860 | $138,710 | +$150 | ||
| North Dakota | $142,040 | $130,110 | +$11,930 | ||
| Ohio | $137,020 | $134,580 | +$2,440 | ||
| Oklahoma | $135,140 | $119,310 | +$15,830 | ||
| Oregon | $165,960 | $137,190 | +$28,770 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $138,160 | $141,790 | $-3,630 | ||
| Rhode Island | $128,180 | $134,560 | $-6,380 | ||
| South Carolina | $135,700 | $131,720 | +$3,980 | ||
| South Dakota | $146,790 | $128,670 | +$18,120 | ||
| Tennessee | $133,390 | $137,060 | $-3,670 | ||
| Texas | $138,260 | $134,670 | +$3,590 | ||
| Utah | $144,240 | $125,940 | +$18,300 | ||
| Vermont | $136,270 | $135,720 | +$550 | ||
| Virginia | $144,060 | $166,230 | $-22,170 | ||
| Washington | $160,610 | $162,730 | $-2,120 | ||
| West Virginia | $133,430 | $147,220 | $-13,790 | ||
| Wisconsin | $148,740 | $124,990 | +$23,750 | ||
| Wyoming | $139,550 | $123,380 | +$16,170 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Pharmacists vs Purchasing Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $3,047 (2.2%) based on 2025 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 32 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Purchasing Managers pays more in 18 states.
What is the median salary for a Pharmacists vs Purchasing Managers?
The national median salary for a Pharmacists is $142,890 per year, compared to $139,842 for a Purchasing Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Pharmacists or Purchasing Managers?
There are more people employed as Pharmacists. BLS reports approximately 321,960 Pharmacists positions and 84,150 Purchasing Managers positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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