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Pharmacologist salary
Average pharmacologist salary
$101,437
Pharmacologist Salary Overview
As of October 2025, the average salary for a pharmacologist is $101,437 annually, or $49 hourly. These professionals are crucial in the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on drug development and safety. Their salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, level of experience, and specific job roles. For instance, pharmacologists in states like California and New York often see higher salaries compared to those in other regions.
In addition to salary, job opportunities for pharmacologists are expanding, with roles available in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and government agencies. The demand for skilled pharmacologists continues to grow, particularly in the areas of drug safety and regulatory affairs. By understanding the salary landscape and potential career paths, aspiring pharmacologists can make informed decisions about their future.
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Where can a Pharmacologist earn more?
Pharmacologist salary estimates from across the web
Average pharmacologist salary by state
The average pharmacologist salary in Alaska, California, and Rhode Island are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average pharmacologist salary states are Nebraska, Missouri, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for pharmacologists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $135,369 | $65.08 |
| 2 | Alaska | $136,036 | $65.40 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $123,732 | $59.49 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $125,884 | $60.52 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $112,339 | $54.01 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $104,358 | $50.17 |
| 7 | Montana | $113,981 | $54.80 |
| 8 | Delaware | $109,329 | $52.56 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $105,087 | $50.52 |
| 10 | Maine | $108,966 | $52.39 |
| 11 | Nevada | $112,264 | $53.97 |
| 12 | Indiana | $106,730 | $51.31 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $116,655 | $56.08 |
| 14 | Oregon | $106,296 | $51.10 |
| 15 | Ohio | $99,427 | $47.80 |
| 16 | New York | $101,723 | $48.91 |
| 17 | Maryland | $100,823 | $48.47 |
| 18 | Vermont | $93,788 | $45.09 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $96,541 | $46.41 |
| 20 | Illinois | $95,119 | $45.73 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $91,106 | $43.80 |
| 22 | West Virginia | $94,097 | $45.24 |
| 23 | Arizona | $95,845 | $46.08 |
| 24 | Washington | $92,990 | $44.71 |
| 25 | Idaho | $90,502 | $43.51 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $97,734 | $46.99 |
| 27 | District of Columbia | $90,573 | $43.54 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $85,546 | $41.13 |
| 29 | Michigan | $91,791 | $44.13 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $81,733 | $39.29 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $90,383 | $43.45 |
| 32 | Colorado | $87,849 | $42.24 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $81,730 | $39.29 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $83,282 | $40.04 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $75,964 | $36.52 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $83,108 | $39.96 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $84,569 | $40.66 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $71,755 | $34.50 |
| 39 | Virginia | $83,441 | $40.12 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $80,382 | $38.65 |
| 41 | Florida | $78,837 | $37.90 |
| 42 | Missouri | $69,983 | $33.65 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $72,849 | $35.02 |
| 44 | Kansas | $72,946 | $35.07 |
| 45 | Texas | $75,483 | $36.29 |
| 46 | Alabama | $72,290 | $34.75 |
| 47 | Iowa | $71,897 | $34.57 |
| 48 | Georgia | $63,444 | $30.50 |
| 49 | Utah | $62,745 | $30.17 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $68,920 | $33.13 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $63,125 | $30.35 |
Highest paying cities for pharmacologists
The highest-paying cities for pharmacologists are Alameda, CA, Cambridge, MA, and Silver Spring, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alameda, CA | $150,061 | $72.14 |
| 2 | Cambridge, MA | $105,577 | $50.76 |
| 3 | Silver Spring, MD | $100,962 | $48.54 |
| 4 | Morgantown, WV | $96,718 | $46.50 |
| 5 | Oak Lawn, IL | $95,664 | $45.99 |
| 6 | Fort Worth, TX | $77,053 | $37.04 |
Pharmacologist salary details
A pharmacologist's salary ranges from $57,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $178,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a pharmacologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $178,000 | $14,833 | $86 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,000 | $11,333 | $65 |
| Average | $101,437 | $8,453 | $49 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,000 | $6,250 | $36 |
| 10th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
Highest paying pharmacologist jobs
The highest paying types of pharmacologists are medical science liaison, principal scientist, and senior scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Researcher | $27,760 | $2,313 | $13.35 | 57,359 |
| Fellow | $66,364 | $5,530 | $31.91 | 7,459 |
| Doctoral Fellow | $53,366 | $4,447 | $25.66 | 22,661 |
| Medical Science Liaison | $145,718 | $12,143 | $70.06 | 57,208 |
| Postdoctoral Scholar | $57,587 | $4,799 | $27.69 | 18,983 |
| Researcher | $67,145 | $5,595 | $32.28 | 30,498 |
Top companies hiring pharmacologists now:
Which companies pay pharmacologists the most?
Pharmacologist salaries at Genentech and Novartis are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average pharmacologist salary at companies like Exelixis and Abbott are highly competitive.
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Pharmacologist salary trends
The average pharmacologist salary has risen by $17,049 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average pharmacologist earned $84,388 annually, but today, they earn $101,437 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for pharmacologists over the last decade.
Compare pharmacologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average pharmacologist salary over time
Compare pharmacologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Pharmacologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $101,000 | $48.77 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $98,400 | $47.32 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $94,000 | $45.20 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $91,000 | $43.75 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $89,300 | $42.92 | -2.1% |
Recently added pharmacologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eli Lilly and Company | Preclinical Pharmacologist (R1-R4) | Boston, MA | 06/12/2025 | $125,794 |
| Lilly | Preclinical Pharmacologist (R1-R4) | Boston, MA | 06/12/2025 | $125,794 |
| Schrodinger | Gpcr Molecular Pharmacologist | San Diego, CA | 01/26/2025 | $120,000 |
| Stanford University | Molecular Pharmacologist | Stanford, CA | 01/24/2025 | $93,062 |
| Schrodinger | Gpcr Molecular Pharmacologist | San Diego, CA | 12/01/2024 | $120,000 |
| Schrdinger | Gpcr Molecular Pharmacologist | San Diego, CA | 11/27/2024 | $120,000 |
| Three Saints Bay | Pharmacologist (4517) | Arlington, VA | 11/19/2024 | $115,000 |
| Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. | Senior Quantitative Pharmacologist | Cambridge, MA | 09/06/2024 | $163,255 |
| Department of Justice | Pharmacologist | Arlington, VA | 07/25/2024 | $117,962 |
| Department of Justice | Pharmacologist | Arlington, VA | 07/25/2024 | $117,962 |
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