Best States for Pharmacists: Jobs & Pay

Per BLS (2023 data), states with highest pharmacist employment:

1. California
2. Texas
3. New York
4. Florida
5. Illinois

These also offer above-average wages (CA ~$160K, TX/NY/FL/IL ~$130–150K median).

Other Factors to Weigh

• Cost of living: CA/NY high; TX/FL no state income tax.
• Job market saturation: Retail chains saturate some metros; hospitals, specialty pharmacy, industry roles may offer better growth.
• Quality of life: Climate, culture, schools, commute.
• Scope of practice: State laws vary on prescribing authority, immunizations, collaborative agreements.

Top metro areas: LA, NYC, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, Phoenix, Philly.