Pharmacist salary in Rochester, NY
Pharmacists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $136,310 a year ($65.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $123,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,770 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $140,910. Pay here is 4% lower than the New York statewide median of $142,090. There are 2.2 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $137,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pharmacists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $123,610 | $59.43 |
| 25th percentile | $132,390 | $63.65 |
| Median | $136,310 | $65.54 |
| 75th percentile | $147,160 | $70.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,770 | $75.37 |
| Average (mean) | $137,220 | $65.97 |
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 | $11,359.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,679.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,242.69 |
| Weekly | $2,621.35 |
| Hourly | $65.54 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | $151,780 | 40 |
| Syracuse, NY | $149,510 | 740 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $143,250 | 80 |
| Elmira, NY | $142,640 | 70 |
| Kingston, NY | $142,360 | 110 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $141,320 | 20,000 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $140,080 | 540 |
| Binghamton, NY | $138,120 | 220 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $137,900 | 1,400 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $136,720 | 1,050 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $132,150 | 120 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $129,870 | 240 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,430 | $62.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,070 | $39.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,550 | $103.15 |
| Dentists, General | $167,480 | $80.52 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Anesthesiologist | $366,040 | $175.98 |
| Veterinarian | $127,580 | $61.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for pharmacists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $136,310 a year, or $65.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $123,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of pharmacists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $156,770 a year. The top 25% earn $147,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $123,610 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $132,390 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Rochester, NY?
About 1,070 pharmacists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.