Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Pharmacist vs Physician Assistant salary

In United States, a pharmacist and a physician assistant earn about the same — $159,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Healthcare
Pharmacist
$159,000/yr
Monthly
$13,300
Hourly
$76
Range
$123,200$202,700
10-yr outlook
+3%
Healthcare
Physician Assistant
$159,000/yr
Monthly
$13,300
Hourly
$76
Range
$116,100$211,500
10-yr outlook
+27%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePharmacistPhysician Assistant
Entry (10th)$123,200$116,100
25th$141,100$137,500
Median$159,000$159,000
75th$180,900$185,200
Senior (90th)$202,700$211,500

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a pharmacist or physician assistant earn more in United States?
A pharmacist and a physician assistant earn roughly the same in United States, around $159,000 per year.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A pharmacist typically earns $123,200–$202,700, while a physician assistant earns $116,100–$211,500 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a pharmacist averages about $13,300 and a physician assistant about $13,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a pharmacist earns about $123,200 while a physician assistant earns about $116,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a pharmacist earns about $202,700 while a physician assistant earns about $211,500 per year.
Are pharmacist and physician assistant similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.