Pharmacist Salary Thread

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_income_tax

One of the reasons why you would want to live in Texas instead of CA. Put 10% of your income in your pocket.

I lived 8+ years in CA, both Northern and Southern. There is not a big salary difference between CA and TX. At least not enough to offset differences in real estate, one of the major overhead expenses.

There are perks living in Southern Cal. But in order to duplicate my lifestyle, I would need to triple my income to live in Orange county.
 
Based on the erroneous views expressed here, a lot of people on this thread seriously need accountants.
 
Based on the erroneous views expressed here, a lot of people on this thread seriously need accountants.

I was wondering when you'd show up, haha.

Whoever posted about pharmacists not starring in rap videos and driving Bentley's with hood rats hanging out the windows...you're my new hero. If you want to be rich, health care in general is not for you.

Zyvox-- I value a mediterranean climate over golfing, so different strokes for different folks...that makes CA more appealing for me despite the massive overhead. Granted, with the current RE price implosion and the prop 13 cap on property tax, I'm sure you could take a second look at southern cal again.

I guess it's a personal thing too...my entire family is out in CA, can't really put a price on that (free babysitting!)

But good point on sales taxes...I'm back here for vacation and the ~8% tax rate in LA hurts, especially coming from PA where clothes and shoes are tax free. And given that our state gov't is straight dysfunctional, costs are bound to rise.
 
I personally would enjoy th ability to make a comfortable amount of money and be able to keep it tucked away safely without people trying to hound you down....By the way Nissan GT-R with 500 hp is definitley poppin but is a GTA waiting to happen where i reside...Imma stay classic Volvo S80 extra features, maybe on the slow side its an original premium lux with safety guarenteed and its only ~30K if bought brand new....Audi A6, BM M3 or hybrd GS / IS Lex for my fellow NYC brothers.....Just keep it high quality European or Japanese
 
I personally would enjoy th ability to make a comfortable amount of money and be able to keep it tucked away safely without people trying to hound you down....By the way Nissan GT-R with 500 hp is definitley poppin but is a GTA waiting to happen where i reside...Imma stay classic Volvo S80 extra features, maybe on the slow side its an original premium lux with safety guarenteed and its only ~30K if bought brand new....Audi A6, BM M3 or hybrd GS / IS Lex for my fellow NYC brothers.....Just keep it high quality European or Japanese

i'll try and stick with my S40 as long as possible than get a family van/SUV down the road. Maybe when I get old near retirement, I'll buy a "fun" car.
 
Pharmacists really don't make as much as people think. You more than likely aren't going to be driving a Bentley with a mini mansion on the lake. After you pay SS, medicaid, Fed, state, 401k, IRA, etc.. you might bring in 65% - 70% so maybe $5000 or $6000 a month take home pay. Then if you go to a private school with enormous loans with a payment of $1500 a month, you could take home as little as $3500 a month. My fiance makes that much as an elementary teacher with a masters, and her education was free!

Pre-pharms seem to think they are going to live like they are in a rap video after pharmacy school, then reality hits. Don't do it for the money. BTW dental hygienist make too much money, 70K to clean teeth with a 2 year degree, hardly any debt, and not much time investment in their career, boooooooooo.

I wish my parents can afford to my for all my tuition and living expenses...


yeah, but they are in people's mouths all day...that alone makes the job a living hell.
 
I'll be happy with a Camry SE, lol. I think its fundemental human nature that people just want more than what they have.

I've always thought it interesting that even though people always want bigger, better, and more expensive things, that it never satisfies the need. Studies show that as a general rule, there is generally no noticeable correlation between a person's income level and overall happiness.

Don't get me wrong though, dreaming of that new BMW or Lexus definitely makes it easier to study through those tough days.

Also, it's kinda disappointing to find overly practical all of us are (I'm thinkin WVU's 165,000mi Taurus and PharmersMarket's long term plan). I guess that's the science mind in all of us, haha.
 
I'm livin' lavish now. I just sprung for the '07 Taurus with 30,000 miles for $7500. Ford certified pre-owned, too...get the 6-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Waved bye-bye to my '96 Taurus...it got too rough for any human being to drive. The other Taurus got totaled by an uninsured driver...got another one to replace it...an '05 with a freakin' spoiler...which as we all know is necessary on a front wheel drive 4-door sedan.

Yup. I'm the dork with two Tauruses (Taurii?) in the driveway. But 'F it..one and a half years old with low miles and good reliability for under 8 large? Yes, sir...a used Taurus is the best damned deal on the planet...
 
'07 Taurus with 30,000 miles ...low miles...

Low miles was my '01 Nissan Altima I bought early '04. Only had 13,000 miles! Some little old lady owned it before me. And today, it's 8 years old and has yet to hit 75,000. 👍
 
You're an idiot. Pharmacist do not take home $5000 or $6000 a month u dork that would equal 60,000 a year. Pharmacist full time make around $100-120,000 with taxes taken out they make around 85-100,000. Pharmacist also make more as they gain experience plus multiple benefits such as stocks, etc plus the salary has been going up for years. A dental hygenist does make alot yes but $30 or so which is a far cry from what u say plus that salary is hard to come by bc a good amount just make $25 or so an hour. Ur fiance doesn't make alot as an elementary teacher PERIOD. U don't know what ur talking about and ignorant. People should just go to a government website like bls i think and there u will see how much they make and usually they underestimate a little.



Pharmacists really don't make as much as people think. You more than likely aren't going to be driving a Bentley with a mini mansion on the lake. After you pay SS, medicaid, Fed, state, 401k, IRA, etc.. you might bring in 65% - 70% so maybe $5000 or $6000 a month take home pay. Then if you go to a private school with enormous loans with a payment of $1500 a month, you could take home as little as $3500 a month. My fiance makes that much as an elementary teacher with a masters, and her education was free!

Pre-pharms seem to think they are going to live like they are in a rap video after pharmacy school, then reality hits. Don't do it for the money. BTW dental hygienist make too much money, 70K to clean teeth with a 2 year degree, hardly any debt, and not much time investment in their career, boooooooooo.
 
You're an idiot. Pharmacist do not take home $5000 or $6000 a month u dork that would equal 60,000 a year. Pharmacist full time make around $100-120,000 with taxes taken out they make around 85-100,000.

Yeah...hate to break it to you, but I get $2500 a paycheck after taxes, benefits, and 403(b) are taken out. I get paid 26 times a year...that 65k take home pay.
 
Yeah...hate to break it to you, but I get $2500 a paycheck after taxes, benefits, and 403(b) are taken out. I get paid 26 times a year...that 65k take home pay.

are you a community pharmacist or hosp pharmacist. How come so much tax is taken off anyway, thought it was about 28% in the US.

Secondly would you say 65k is a good salary to live off?
 
You're an idiot. Pharmacist do not take home $5000 or $6000 a month u dork that would equal 60,000 a year. Pharmacist full time make around $100-120,000 with taxes taken out they make around 85-100,000.

:meanie::meanie:

Are you serious??

$120,000 means $10,000 per month. Subtract FICA, State income tax, 401K, health insurance and how much will you take home? Then subtract loan repayment.

You really think at $100 - $120K a year can net a take home of $85-$100K?

Hello!
 
are you a community pharmacist or hosp pharmacist. How come so much tax is taken off anyway, thought it was about 28% in the US.

You have federal tax (about 22-25% effectively or so), social security and medicare tax (an extra 6.25% in and of itself), state tax (6.5% for me), city tax (a few bucks for me...up to 3.5% in, say, NYC)...and on...and on...plus 5% goes into my 403(b), which they match, and I pay $60/paycheck for medical/Rx/dental/vision benefits. Add it all up and it turns out you pay a **** ton in taxes and other expenses before you get your take home money.

Secondly would you say 65k is a good salary to live off?

Of course it is. To me. I live very comfortably...of course I live in a single-wide and don't really spend money on anything...but if I wanted to on a whim, I could fly off to Mexico for the weekend and drop a few grand, no big deal. That would obviously change if I was the type of dummy that bought a $30k car right out of school or who has a $2000/month mortgage. I don't really give a **** about popular fashion, trendy cars, living in a prestigious looking home...it doesn't interest me. I rather enjoy living the humble life and saving cash so I can own a few businesses or something...
 
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And PharmPills is feverishly googling Tax rates.. :meanie::meanie:


You have federal tax (about 22-25% effectively or so), social security and medicare tax (an extra 6.25% in and of itself), state tax (6.5% for me), city tax (a few bucks for me...up to 3.5% in, say, NYC)...and on...and on...plus 5% goes into my 403(b), which they match, and I pay $60/paycheck for medical/Rx/dental/vision benefits. Add it all up and it turns out you pay a **** ton in taxes and other expenses before you get your tax home money.
 
And PharmPills is feverishly googling Tax rates.. :meanie::meanie:

And we're not even taking into consideration the $1500/month I send in for student loads...so really, I only get $47k actual money for myself. If I lived in a city where I had to pay $1000/month for rent...down to $35k...$100/month for car insurance + $550/month for $30k car payment...down to $28k...utilities at about $500/month...down to $22k...cable + internet is $120/month...cell phone is $80/month...down to under $20k for yourself...food is another $4-5k...$15k for yourself...yup...it all just fades away into nothing...:laugh:

Hence, I'm not living large in some trendy city and am driving a responsible, easy and cheap to maintain car...I get to enjoy my take home cash much more.
 
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And we're not even taking into consideration the $1500/month I send in for student loads...so really, I only get $47k actual money for myself. If I lived in a city where I had to pay $1000/month for rent...down to $35k...$100/month for car insurance + $550/month for $30k car payment...down to $28k...utilities at about $500/month...down to $22k...cable + internet is $120/month...cell phone is $80/month...down to under $20k for yourself...food is another $4-5k...$15k for yourself...yup...it all just fades away into nothing...:laugh:

Hence, I'm not living large in some trendy city and am driving a responsible, easy and cheap to maintain cars...I get to enjoy my take home cash much more.

Many kids are delusional until the reality sets in... so called life!
 
Many kids are delusional until the reality sets in... so called life!

Hell, if I knew my situation today 8 years ago, I'd be thrilled knowing that in my future I'm driving a car whose bumper doesn't fall off and is rust free. Keep in mind, people DO live off of $25k a year...which is basically what I'm doing right now...
 
I don't know what some of u are talking about but i personally saw a pharmacist paycheck and it was at least $4000 after 2 weeks with taxes taken out. So that's a minimum of 96,000. She has experience though but not aton. Alot of factors have to be taken into account such as location and experience. All i know is that i work in a pharmacy and i've seen some of their paychecks personally after taxes. This is in retail though and not hospital setting. Alot of u are subtracting loans, rent, mortgage from ur total but this is the raw figure i'm giving u. keep in mind children, spouse can alter the raw salary and ur expenses.
 
I'm driving a used Saturn SL-2 from 2002. It has a spoiler and leather seats. It cost only a little over $6k and only has 62,000 miles on it. I am happy to have it.
 
I don't know what some of u are talking about but i personally saw a pharmacist paycheck and it was at least $4000 after 2 weeks with taxes taken out. So that's a minimum of 96,000. She has experience though but not aton. Alot of factors have to be taken into account such as location and experience. All i know is that i work in a pharmacy and i've seen some of their paychecks personally after taxes. This is in retail though and not hospital setting. Alot of u are subtracting loans, rent, mortgage from ur total but this is the raw figure i'm giving u. keep in mind children, spouse can alter the raw salary and ur expenses.

she may have multiple deductions so that she has to pay income tax at the end of the year. Some people prefer not to give the government that interest-free loan. So yes, at the moment your take-home pay is greater but you'll pay out the nose come April.
 
I don't know what some of u are talking about but i personally saw a pharmacist paycheck and it was at least $4000 after 2 weeks with taxes taken out. So that's a minimum of 96,000. She has experience though but not aton. Alot of factors have to be taken into account such as location and experience. All i know is that i work in a pharmacy and i've seen some of their paychecks personally after taxes. This is in retail though and not hospital setting. Alot of u are subtracting loans, rent, mortgage from ur total but this is the raw figure i'm giving u. keep in mind children, spouse can alter the raw salary and ur expenses.

You saw someone else's check which you have no idea what her situation is. She may not be contributing to 401K and she's probably capped out of SS tax (happens towards the end of the year). She may also have elected to not participate in health coverage (spouse may have the coverage).

I know what I make and what my check looks like. And I live in a state with no state income tax. And I will tell you that $120,000 per year won't net you $4,000 per check. Even without the state income tax with numerous deductions.

You have no idea.
 
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she may have multiple deductions so that she has to pay income tax at the end of the year. Some people prefer not to give the government that interest-free loan. So yes, at the moment your take-home pay is greater but you'll pay out the nose come April.


How did you get so smart?
 
she may have multiple deductions so that she has to pay income tax at the end of the year. Some people prefer not to give the government that interest-free loan. So yes, at the moment your take-home pay is greater but you'll pay out the nose come April.

Well she doesn't have kids so i don't know about multiple deductions but maybe. Well the max that can be taken out is around 28% i think and if u have kids then it will be less. Plus a pharmacist can work overtime and makeup for those hefty taxes. As for loans someone can live at home for one year and pay it off. I mean ppl complain about taxes and expenses but don't spend their money wisely but instead buy 100,000 cars and 500k homes and then think they don't make enough.
 
Ok, I'm going to break this down for you.

$120,000 annual salary = Gross $4,615 biweekly paycheck.
Max 2008 401K contribution = $15,500 = $596 per check which is deductible.
Assume Health Insurance of $50 per check which is deductible.

Then Gross Taxable income for the check is $3,969 = $103,194 annual taxable income which puts this person at 28% Federal Income Tax Bracket (but total 22% progressive bracket) and less if she's married and filing jointly.

State Income tax can range from 0% to 10%+. Let's call it at 4% since I don't know where you live.

Medicare Tax is 1.45% and SS tax is 6.2% up to $6,045 per year.

If she is participating in 401K fully,

$4,615 Gross
-$596 for 401K
-$50 for Health Coverage

$3,969 Taxable income
-33.65% Federal Tax, Medicare & SS tax + State Income Tax.

=$2,633 Take home.

If she is not participating in 401K,
$4,615 Gross
-$50 for Health

$4,565 Taxable income
-33.65 % Income Taxes

=$3,028 take home.

I'm not an accountant...so if there is a mistake correct me if I'm wrong.

There are other deductions and just because she has a check over $4,000 doesn't mean that's what she'll take home. She could have worked overtime or she'll end up paying when April 15th rolls around.
 
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Well she doesn't have kids so i don't know about multiple deductions but maybe. Well the max that can be taken out is around 28% i think and if u have kids then it will be less. Plus a pharmacist can work overtime and makeup for those hefty taxes. As for loans someone can live at home for one year and pay it off. I mean ppl complain about taxes and expenses but don't spend their money wisely but instead buy 100,000 cars and 500k homes and then think they don't make enough.

I don't know very many pharmacists with a $100,000 car..
 
Good Rule of thumb... assume you'll take home 60% -70% of your gross income.
 
Well she doesn't have kids so i don't know about multiple deductions but maybe. Well the max that can be taken out is around 28% i think and if u have kids then it will be less. Plus a pharmacist can work overtime and makeup for those hefty taxes. As for loans someone can live at home for one year and pay it off. I mean ppl complain about taxes and expenses but don't spend their money wisely but instead buy 100,000 cars and 500k homes and then think they don't make enough.

if you work overtime you'll get bumped to a higher tax bracket. Sometimes you end up taking home less than if you hadn't worked the overtime at all. Per pharmacists that I work with.

Seriously, I wouldn't use one individual's pay stub to describe an entire profession. That's silly.
 
if you work overtime you'll get bumped to a higher tax bracket. Sometimes you end up taking home less than if you hadn't worked the overtime at all. Per pharmacists that I work with.

Seriously, I wouldn't use one individual's pay stub to describe an entire profession. That's silly.

That's sad to get paid less for working longer. Are you sure it works that way? Be funny to work right under the next tax bracket.
 
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Not every1 will want a 401k for retirement esp. those who are young. This amount is after medicare and state tax and aother tax. She might have to pay more at the end of the year during tax time or she might get a refund but the point is they had already taken out alot from her paycheck after 2 weeks and she ended up with $4000 that's hers completely.

Secondly ur not a pharmacist and just going off assumptions. I work with pharmacists and ppl who state they make around 80-90k after all taxes PERIOD and they don't do much overtime.


Ok, I'm going to break this down for you.

$120,000 annual salary = Gross $4,615 biweekly paycheck.
Max 2008 401K contribution = $15,500 = $596 per check which is deductible.
Assume Health Insurance of $50 per check which is deductible.

Then Gross Taxable income for the check is $3,969 = $103,194 annual taxable income which puts this person at 28% Federal Income Tax Bracket (but total 22% progressive bracket) and less if she's married and filing jointly.

State Income tax can range from 0% to 10%+. Let's call it at 4% since I don't know where you live.

Medicare Tax is 1.45% and SS tax is 6.2% up to $6,045 per year.

If she is participating in 401K fully,

$4,615 Gross
-$596 for 401K
-$50 for Health Coverage

$3,969 Taxable income
-33.65% Federal Tax, Medicare & SS tax + State Income Tax.

=$2,633 Take home.

If she is not participating in 401K,
$4,615 Gross
-$50 for Health

$4,565 Taxable income
-33.65 % Income Taxes

=$3,028 take home.

I'm not an accountant...so if there is a mistake correct me if I'm wrong.

There are other deductions and just because she has a check over $4,000 doesn't mean that's what she'll take home. She could have worked overtime or she'll end up paying when April 15th rolls around.
 
Not every1 will want a 401k for retirement esp. those who are young. This amount is after medicare and state tax and aother tax. She might have to pay more at the end of the year during tax time or she might get a refund but the point is they had already taken out alot from her paycheck after 2 weeks and she ended up with $4000 that's hers completely.

If her check is from November or December, then she's not paying the Social Security Tax because she's capped out. She may also be claiming Head of the Household status to lower her bracket. But $4,000+ take home for 80 hours of work as a staff pharmacist is an exception not the rule. It would certainly be foolish to assume that every pharmacist will be taking home $4,000 per check.

Between $2,500 to $3,500 per check is the norm for a pharmacist making $90,000 to $120,000 per year. So $65,000 to $90,000 per year take home is more of a reasonable range with the higher range belonging to those who's not maximizing the 401K.
 
this is from an ex-retail pharmacist who has received these so called "pharmacist paychecks"

I grossed $4488 every two weeks

My net pay was $2650 out of that amount, the only deduction i took was 5% for the employee stock program (no contributions to 401k, insurance, etc)

so without that i would be a little shy of $2800 every bi-weekly paycheck where my base is 44 hours worked a week
 
this is from an ex-retail pharmacist who has received these so called "pharmacist paychecks"

I grossed $4488 every two weeks

My net pay was $2650 out of that amount, the only deduction i took was 5% for the employee stock program (no contributions to 401k, insurance, etc)

so without that i would be a little shy of $2800 every bi-weekly paycheck where my base is 44 hours worked a week

You Poor Mofo! :meanie:

j/k
 
The main point is that pharmacist make from $44-55 an hour which is super good and so far that amount has been going up with a good amount of jobs. Doesn't matter what their pay is but they are not far from Dentists and some MD's. All i can say is that it's a great profession that pays well and any1 who argues are jealous are in a bad location that doesn't pay them well.
 
Secondly ur not a pharmacist and just going off assumptions. I work with pharmacists and ppl who state they make around 80-90k after all taxes PERIOD and they don't do much overtime.

I'm not a pharmacist??????? Are you serious????

$80-$90K after taxes...then subtract 401K of up to $15,500 and what do you have?

When I used to make $120,000, without paying state income tax, my take home was around $2,900 per check.

Oh gawd..I can't believe I'm still debating this with a prepharm...
 
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if you work overtime you'll get bumped to a higher tax bracket. Sometimes you end up taking home less than if you hadn't worked the overtime at all. Per pharmacists that I work with.

Seriously, I wouldn't use one individual's pay stub to describe an entire profession. That's silly.

I'm pretty sure that isn't the case. It doesn't make sense. The higher tax rate should only apply to the money over that tax bracket.
 
Oh gawd..I can't believe I'm still debating this with a prepharm...
It never ceases to amuse me how the pre-health kids on these forums always argue with people who are actually out and practicing! I guess they are trying to convince you you don't know what you are talking about...even though you are living it!
Secondly, NOBODY sees my paycheck, not my parents, siblings, maybe my wife saw it once when I left it on the counter in the kitchen...so for this kid to say he's seen the paychecks of MANY pharmacists is suspect at best. Think about it, have you ever turned to some kid you work with and say, "psst...take a gander at how much I make!"
This pre-pharm sounds to me to be some kid who's hoping to get into pharm for one reason...big bucks, and is panicking when reading about the real world and is trying to convince everyone (even practicing pharmacists), that it is THEIR fault if they are living large as a pharm.
 
The different between a poor man and a rich man is that a rich man have more money in his bank. Money destroys people's humanity, bahave, attitude. I am happy that I am having a job, and make people around me happy as much as I am.
 
The different between a poor man and a rich man is that a rich man have more money in his bank. Money destroys people's humanity, bahave, attitude. I am happy that I am having a job, and make people around me happy as much as I am.



Money builds schools to educate, hospitals to heal, churches for spirtuality, and feeds the poor.

Money is neither good or bad but rather neutral. It's what you do with the money that makes the difference.

Happy New Year!
 
why is everyone so obsessed with how much you make? Really, liking a job (or at least tolerating) is the most important thing. Hours, benefits, etc are also very important. I make enough money to be comfortable and yes, it's nice, but I would take a pay cut to find a job that I love.
 
omg, some of you are just downright ******ed. hahahah...i don't know how seeing someone's pay stub in november suddenly makes you an expert on the intricacies of finance.

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

i love this thread
 
If you have read any of pharmpills past posts you would already know "its" posts are half ******ed on a regular basis. Hopefully it doesn't make it through its schooling.

It's fun referring to someone as "it".
 
Secondly ur not a pharmacist and just going off assumptions. I work with pharmacists and ppl who state they make around 80-90k after all taxes PERIOD and they don't do much overtime.

😆😆😆

Get a clue about who is what over of this side of the forums before you start spewing nonsense.
 
haha pharmpills is an idiot, i feel bad for the patients he/she will be working with...if he/she even passes pharm school.

hey check it out, my friend of a friend of a cousin's sister told me what her friend made last week...i'm an expert at now! :laugh:
 
You have no sense and ur the ******ed one. Ur scum 😀 & so much so that i won't respond to u muhahahah ROFLMAO :laugh::laugh::laugh:

Secondly to the rest i never said i saw her paycheck in november so learn to read and thirdly i've seen more than one pharmacist paycheck aside from her bc i've been there for some time and they are trustful. One was about 4,000 + and the other was 4300 and some change after taxes and during the summer. They both said along with another male pharmacist that they make around 80-90 after taxes and after paying any remaining taxes. Also they said technically they make around 90-100 based on stocks and other benefits.

Alot of u who talk about making it through pharm school should worry about urself and ur life bc when u wish others bad then bad things will come to u or your family. It's called karma :laugh:


If you have read any of pharmpills past posts you would already know "its" posts are half ******ed on a regular basis. Hopefully it doesn't make it through its schooling.

It's fun referring to someone as "it".
 
Interesting starting pays. But nobody mentioned Chicago - Illinois. As for salary.com, how accurate or up-to-date is it?

Also, all these pay rates, do they apply before or after taxes?
 
No doubt. I heard if your gpa is below 3.0 CVS won't give you more than 40 $/h. On the other hand, if your gpa is 3.8 - 3.9 - you are eligible for at least 50 $/h. So yeah, study hard.

Not true.
 
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