Pharmacist salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Pharmacists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $139,660 a year ($67.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $127,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,390 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $140,910. Pay here is 1% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $138,170. There are 2.0 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $141,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pharmacists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $127,550 | $61.32 |
| 25th percentile | $134,840 | $64.83 |
| Median | $139,660 | $67.14 |
| 75th percentile | $158,770 | $76.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,390 | $80.96 |
| Average (mean) | $141,510 | $68.04 |
Half of pharmacists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,638.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,819.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,371.54 |
| Weekly | $2,685.77 |
| Hourly | $67.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $139,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Pharmacist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $150,850 | 200 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $143,000 | 350 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $140,650 | 90 |
| Springfield, MA | $138,230 | 430 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $137,910 | 100 |
| Worcester, MA | $132,930 | 760 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $130,840 | 1,880 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 |
| Oregon | $165,960 |
| California | $164,610 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 |
| Washington | $160,610 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 |
| Colorado | $156,030 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 |
| Delaware | $152,880 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 |
See Pharmacist pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $106,180 | $51.05 |
| Physicians, All Other | $229,870 | $110.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $147,480 | $70.90 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,550 | $49.78 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | $68.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $284,010 | $136.54 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,840 | $37.43 |
| Dentists, General | $181,150 | $87.09 |
| Pediatricians, General | $221,170 | $106.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Veterinarian | $138,900 | $66.78 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for pharmacists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $139,660 a year, or $67.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $127,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of pharmacists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $168,390 a year. The top 25% earn $158,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $127,550 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $134,840 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 5,280 pharmacists are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.