Pharmacist salary in Boston, MA
Median pay, Boston metro
$139,660/year
about $67.14 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $134,840 – $158,770
Half of pharmacists in the Boston metro area earn more than $139,660 a year and half earn less. That's 1% lower than the national median of $140,910, and ranks #20 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $127,550 | $61.32 |
| 25th | $134,840 | $64.83 |
| Median (50th) | $139,660 | $67.14 |
| 75th | $158,770 | $76.33 |
| 90th (top earners) | $168,390 | $80.96 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a pharmacist job in the Boston metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $134,840 ($64.83/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $134,840 to $158,770 ($64.83 to $76.33/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $158,770 ($76.33/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Retail and hospital pharmacist roles differ a lot in hours and workload. Ask about staffing and scripts per day.
- Ask whether you'd float between locations and whether travel time is paid.
- Some roles pay more for evening, overnight or weekend shifts.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Boston metro. Occupation: Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.