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Job outlook for clinical pharmacists in the United States
Clinical pharmacist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected clinical pharmacist job growth rate is 2% from 2018-2028.
About 7,700 new jobs for clinical pharmacists are projected over the next decade.
Clinical pharmacist salaries have increased 5% for clinical pharmacists in the last 5 years.
There are over 185,283 clinical pharmacists currently employed in the United States.
There are 101,564 active clinical pharmacist job openings in the US.
The average clinical pharmacist salary is $94,705.
Are clinical pharmacist jobs in demand?
Clinical Pharmacist job and salary trends over time
Clinical Pharmacist jobs over time
Clinical Pharmacist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 185,283 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 187,014 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 184,483 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 183,505 | 0.06% |
| 2017 | 183,374 | 0.06% |
Average clinical pharmacist salary over time
Clinical Pharmacist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $94,705 | $45.53 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | $94,249 | $45.31 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $92,799 | $44.62 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $91,365 | $43.93 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $89,937 | $43.24 | +0.6% |
Clinical Pharmacist jobs by state
Most common states for clinical pharmacists
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 274 | 39% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,554 | 28% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 272 | 28% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 208 | 28% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 287 | 27% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 207 | 24% |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,982 | 23% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,737 | 23% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,363 | 23% |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,305 | 23% |
| 11 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 177 | 23% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,853 | 22% |
| 13 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,350 | 22% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 924 | 22% |
| 15 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 703 | 22% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 652 | 22% |
| 17 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,693 | 21% |
| 18 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,166 | 21% |
| 19 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,427 | 21% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 227 | 21% |
Most common cities for clinical pharmacists
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinez | 7 | 18% | $123,130 |
| 2 | Topeka | 9 | 7% | $60,005 |
| 3 | Boston | 42 | 6% | $59,885 |
| 4 | Lansing | 7 | 6% | $55,616 |
| 5 | Baton Rouge | 8 | 4% | $78,342 |
| 6 | Des Moines | 8 | 4% | $46,138 |
| 7 | Little Rock | 7 | 4% | $51,995 |
| 8 | Fort Wayne | 7 | 3% | $50,804 |
| 9 | Baltimore | 15 | 2% | $67,745 |
| 10 | Indianapolis | 15 | 2% | $52,255 |
| 11 | Washington | 12 | 2% | $66,939 |
| 12 | Miami | 11 | 2% | $90,782 |
| 13 | Sacramento | 11 | 2% | $120,039 |
| 14 | Tampa | 8 | 2% | $86,490 |
| 15 | Phoenix | 15 | 1% | $93,989 |
| 16 | San Diego | 11 | 1% | $122,834 |
| 17 | Atlanta | 7 | 1% | $67,213 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 10 | 0% | $125,657 |
| 19 | Chicago | 7 | 0% | $51,531 |
Clinical Pharmacist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of clinical pharmacist experts
Wilkes University
The University of Findlay
What Clinical Pharmacist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sara Reece PharmD, CDCES, BC-ADM, BCACP, FADCES, FCCP: Being a lifelong learner is vital as a pharmacist as the practice is evolving rapidly. Integration of AI is just one example. Developing proficiency with AI to maximize the benefits that it provides. Depending on the specific area of pharmacy you choose, unique skills will become more important and prevalent in the next 3 - 5 years. For example, as an ambulatory care pharmacist proficiency in population-based care and quality measures are important and will grow in their importance.
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Pharmacist?
Rubi Mahato PhD, MBA: Be open to new possibilities, network with pharmacy professionals, communicate effectively, and never stop learning.
What Clinical Pharmacist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rubi Mahato PhD, MBA: Negotiate upfront, consider the field you want to go into, take business courses to climb the ladder quickly.
What will help Clinical Pharmacists increase their earning potential?
Rubi Mahato PhD, MBA: Critical thinking, adaptability, effective patient counseling, and effective communication with healthcare professionals.
Jenna Mills PharmD, BCPS
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy PracticeThe University of Findlay
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, And Administration
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Pharmacist?
Jenna Mills PharmD, BCPS: Give yourself patience and grace as you transition from a student pharmacist into a registered pharmacist (RPh). Being a new practitioner comes with many learning curves: responsibility for patient care, working efficiently, and learning site-specific policies and procedures that will be new to you, to name a few. Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day – you’re beginning your career and will learn more about the site and yourself as a pharmacist every day. Pharmacy school may be over, but maintain your willingness to learn. Ask questions, take notes during your training for reference later, and remember that every shift comes with opportunities to learn.