How much does a pharmacy aide make?
The median pharmacy aide in the United States earns $37,680 per year, about $18.12 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all pharmacy aides earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 31-9095.
Pharmacy aide salary range
Pay for pharmacy aides spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,820 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $56,010. The average (mean) wage of $40,450 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,820 | $14.34 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $34,980 | $16.82 | |
| Median (50th) | $37,680 | $18.12 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $43,640 | $20.98 | |
| 90th percentile | $56,010 | $26.93 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for pharmacy aides (SOC 31-9095), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Pharmacy aide salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Pharmacy aides earn the most in District of Columbia at $59,960 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $28,380. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,960 | 120 |
| Utah | $51,600 | 250 |
| Hawaii | $46,250 | 110 |
| Washington | $45,110 | 1,990 |
| Arizona | $43,360 | 810 |
| California | $42,200 | 8,440 |
| Oregon | $40,250 | 450 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,470 | 1,210 |
| Nevada | $39,080 | 410 |
| Texas | $38,630 | 2,900 |
| Delaware | $38,500 | 130 |
| Maine | $38,060 | 150 |
| New York | $38,040 | 2,360 |
| Rhode Island | $38,020 | N/A |
| Missouri | $37,820 | 650 |
| Idaho | $37,690 | 110 |
| Colorado | $37,580 | 370 |
| Ohio | $37,500 | 690 |
| Minnesota | $37,430 | 550 |
| Massachusetts | $37,390 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $37,350 | 50 |
| Vermont | $37,310 | 90 |
| Montana | $37,140 | 210 |
| Wyoming | $37,030 | 60 |
| Illinois | $37,010 | 1,180 |
| Arkansas | $36,860 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $36,660 | 550 |
| New Jersey | $36,590 | 1,020 |
| New Mexico | $36,390 | 180 |
| Virginia | $36,390 | 510 |
| Connecticut | $36,350 | 490 |
| Alabama | $36,260 | 460 |
| South Carolina | $36,140 | 360 |
| Michigan | $36,130 | 880 |
| South Dakota | $36,130 | 150 |
| Indiana | $35,890 | 610 |
| North Carolina | $35,530 | 1,180 |
| Maryland | $35,170 | 420 |
| Florida | $35,160 | 1,590 |
| Georgia | $34,630 | 1,410 |
| Kentucky | $34,610 | 600 |
| Louisiana | $33,450 | 730 |
| Iowa | $33,270 | 1,070 |
| Kansas | $32,070 | 470 |
| Nebraska | $31,610 | 400 |
| Oklahoma | $30,360 | 700 |
| Tennessee | $30,170 | 1,150 |
| Mississippi | $28,380 | 660 |
State median wages for pharmacy aides (SOC 31-9095), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for pharmacy aides
The BLS projects employment of pharmacy aides to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 39,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 39,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,100 openings a year for pharmacy aides. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a pharmacy aide
The typical entry-level education for pharmacy aides is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a pharmacy aide earns
Certification, work setting, shift, and region shape pay. Hospitals and high cost metros pay above clinics, nursing homes, and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $59,960) and the lowest (Mississippi, $28,380) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 39,530 people work as pharmacy aides in the United States. At $37,680 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Pharmacy aide salary FAQ
How much does a pharmacy aide make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a pharmacy aide is $18.12. The middle half of pharmacy aides earn between $16.82 and $20.98 per hour.
What is the highest pharmacy aide salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of pharmacy aides earn more than $56,010 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a pharmacy aide make a year?
The median annual salary for a pharmacy aide is $37,680. The average (mean) wage of $40,450 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a pharmacy aide a well paid job?
At $37,680 a year, a pharmacy aide earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 39,530 people work as pharmacy aides in the United States.
Which state pays pharmacy aides the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for pharmacy aides at $59,960 a year. Utah ($51,600) and Hawaii ($46,250) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a pharmacy aide a good career?
Employment of pharmacy aides is projected to shrink 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a pharmacy aide?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for pharmacy aides as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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