Pharmacist salary in Madison, WI
Pharmacists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $158,120 a year ($76.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $112,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,980 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $140,910. Pay here is 6% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $148,740. There are 2.7 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $145,450, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,140 | $53.91 |
| 25th percentile | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| Median | $158,120 | $76.02 |
| 75th percentile | $169,980 | $81.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,980 | $81.72 |
| Average (mean) | $145,450 | $69.93 |
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 | $13,176.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,588.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,081.54 |
| Weekly | $3,040.77 |
| Hourly | $76.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $160,990 | 4,160 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $159,020 | 210 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $154,860 | 330 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $153,340 | 1,760 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $150,120 | 150 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $149,720 | 180 |
| Wausau, WI | $148,740 | 130 |
| Appleton, WI | $144,630 | 190 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $144,150 | 130 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $144,090 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $142,450 | 70 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $141,790 | 70 |
| Green Bay, WI | $141,090 | 300 |
| Kenosha, WI | $139,350 | 140 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,940 | $145.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,670 | $46.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,080 | $63.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,890 | $41.78 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,530 | $39.20 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Dentists, General | $176,460 | $84.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $329,670 | $158.50 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $340,150 | $163.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for pharmacists in the Madison, WI metro area is $158,120 a year, or $76.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $112,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of pharmacists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $169,980 a year. The top 25% earn $169,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $112,140 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $130,000 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Madison, WI?
About 1,120 pharmacists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.