Median salary: $130K (Pharmacist) vs $120K (Physician Assistant). Salary ranges overlap between 100K–160K and 90K–160K. The take-home difference depends on state taxes, cost of living, and where in the salary range you fall.
At the national median, Pharmacists earn $130K and Physician Assistants earn $120K. After federal taxes and FICA (calculated without state tax to isolate the salary effect), Pharmacists take home $100,081 vs $93,195 for Physician Assistants.
The $10K salary advantage for Pharmacists doesn’t translate dollar-for-dollar to take-home. Because of progressive federal tax brackets, the Pharmacist’s higher salary is taxed at a higher marginal rate. Of the $10K gross difference, only $6,886 reaches the Pharmacist’s pocket — the rest goes to taxes.
Pharmacists face an effective tax rate of 23.0% at median, while Physician Assistants pay 22.3%. The higher rate for Pharmacists reflects more income being pushed into higher federal brackets.
The best states differ for each profession because salary adjustments vary by state cost index and interact differently with tax brackets. A state that’s great for a $130K earner may not be optimal for a $120K earner.
All 50 states showing estimated salary and take-home for both professions. Sorted by which states give Pharmacists the largest take-home advantage over Physician Assistants.
| State | Pharmacist Salary | Pharmacist Take-Home | Physician Assistant Salary | Physician Assistant Take-Home | Difference | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $250K | $165,389 | $230K | $153,689 | +$11,700 | Pharmacist |
| California | $185K | $121,711 | $170K | $112,725 | +$8,987 | Pharmacist |
| Alaska | $165K | $124,004 | $152K | $115,118 | +$8,886 | Pharmacist |
| New York | $163K | $108,643 | $150K | $100,874 | +$7,769 | Pharmacist |
| Maryland | $146K | $103,370 | $134K | $95,797 | +$7,574 | Pharmacist |
| Washington | $143K | $108,967 | $132K | $101,448 | +$7,519 | Pharmacist |
| New Jersey | $150K | $103,270 | $138K | $95,906 | +$7,364 | Pharmacist |
| Rhode Island | $137K | $99,531 | $126K | $92,441 | +$7,090 | Pharmacist |
| South Dakota | $120K | $93,195 | $110K | $86,160 | +$7,035 | Pharmacist |
| Colorado | $137K | $98,838 | $126K | $91,803 | +$7,035 | Pharmacist |
| Connecticut | $144K | $103,107 | $133K | $96,089 | +$7,019 | Pharmacist |
| Massachusetts | $153K | $108,152 | $142K | $101,183 | +$6,969 | Pharmacist |
| North Dakota | $120K | $91,674 | $110K | $84,766 | +$6,908 | Pharmacist |
| Vermont | $137K | $97,074 | $126K | $90,181 | +$6,893 | Pharmacist |
| Delaware | $133K | $94,431 | $122K | $87,538 | +$6,893 | Pharmacist |
| Florida | $130K | $100,081 | $120K | $93,195 | +$6,886 | Pharmacist |
| Nevada | $131K | $100,765 | $121K | $93,899 | +$6,866 | Pharmacist |
| New Hampshire | $140K | $106,916 | $130K | $100,081 | +$6,835 | Pharmacist |
| Arizona | $126K | $94,197 | $116K | $87,481 | +$6,716 | Pharmacist |
| Oregon | $143K | $97,619 | $132K | $90,974 | +$6,646 | Pharmacist |
| South Carolina | $120K | $88,203 | $110K | $81,584 | +$6,619 | Pharmacist |
| North Carolina | $124K | $91,032 | $114K | $84,425 | +$6,607 | Pharmacist |
| Montana | $126K | $92,720 | $116K | $86,121 | +$6,599 | Pharmacist |
| Idaho | $124K | $89,408 | $114K | $82,932 | +$6,476 | Pharmacist |
| Virginia | $134K | $97,807 | $124K | $91,346 | +$6,461 | Pharmacist |
| Utah | $129K | $93,399 | $119K | $86,958 | +$6,441 | Pharmacist |
| Tennessee | $117K | $91,085 | $108K | $84,753 | +$6,332 | Pharmacist |
| Texas | $121K | $93,899 | $112K | $87,567 | +$6,332 | Pharmacist |
| Wyoming | $122K | $94,602 | $113K | $88,271 | +$6,332 | Pharmacist |
| Minnesota | $129K | $91,138 | $119K | $84,873 | +$6,266 | Pharmacist |
| Arkansas | $112K | $84,728 | $103K | $78,624 | +$6,103 | Pharmacist |
| Louisiana | $118K | $88,528 | $109K | $82,445 | +$6,083 | Pharmacist |
| Nebraska | $118K | $88,298 | $109K | $82,233 | +$6,065 | Pharmacist |
| Oklahoma | $113K | $84,782 | $104K | $78,728 | +$6,054 | Pharmacist |
| Kansas | $117K | $86,750 | $108K | $80,752 | +$5,998 | Pharmacist |
| Iowa | $116K | $85,973 | $107K | $79,984 | +$5,990 | Pharmacist |
| New Mexico | $118K | $87,263 | $109K | $81,276 | +$5,986 | Pharmacist |
| Ohio | $117K | $86,112 | $108K | $80,163 | +$5,949 | Pharmacist |
| Indiana | $117K | $85,878 | $108K | $79,947 | +$5,931 | Pharmacist |
| Missouri | $116K | $85,022 | $107K | $79,106 | +$5,916 | Pharmacist |
| Illinois | $121K | $87,909 | $112K | $82,023 | +$5,886 | Pharmacist |
| Wisconsin | $121K | $87,882 | $112K | $81,998 | +$5,884 | Pharmacist |
| Kentucky | $117K | $85,235 | $108K | $79,353 | +$5,882 | Pharmacist |
| Georgia | $121K | $87,619 | $112K | $81,754 | +$5,864 | Pharmacist |
| Pennsylvania | $127K | $92,227 | $118K | $86,395 | +$5,831 | Pharmacist |
| Maine | $127K | $92,128 | $118K | $86,304 | +$5,824 | Pharmacist |
| Michigan | $118K | $85,003 | $109K | $79,189 | +$5,814 | Pharmacist |
| Mississippi | $108K | $81,243 | $100K | $75,875 | +$5,368 | Pharmacist |
| West Virginia | $108K | $81,159 | $100K | $75,797 | +$5,362 | Pharmacist |
| Alabama | $114K | $83,559 | $106K | $78,311 | +$5,248 | Pharmacist |
Job Security & Demand: Healthcare careers offer exceptional job security, and both Pharmacists and Physician Assistants are in consistent demand nationwide. Pharmacist roles tend to be available in virtually every community, while Physician Assistant positions may be more concentrated in urban and suburban areas. Both professions are largely recession-proof — people need healthcare regardless of economic conditions.
Growth & Advancement: The aging US population drives growth for both careers. Pharmacist demand is projected to grow steadily through 2030+, with particular shortages in rural areas. Physician Assistant roles are also expanding, especially as healthcare systems seek to provide more services at lower cost. Scope-of-practice expansion varies by state, which can affect earning potential.
Work-Life Balance & Lifestyle: Shift work is common for Pharmacists, with nights, weekends, and holidays often required — though some specialties offer more predictable schedules. Physician Assistants may have more regular hours depending on the practice setting. Both careers involve significant emotional demands. Unlike tech roles, these careers require in-person presence, limiting your ability to choose a state purely for tax benefits.