SOC 2251 Health professionals

Pharmacists Salary

Median salary £47,508 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £48,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For pharmacists, £53,772 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +38% versus the national average. Experienced pharmacists (top 25%) earn over £57,338.

About this role

Pharmacists ensure the safe and effective use of medicines. They dispense prescriptions, provide clinical advice on medication, monitor drug interactions and support patients in managing their health through pharmaceutical care, as classified under the 2020 Standard Occupational Classification.

Key responsibilities

Dispensing prescriptions accurately and safely
Advising patients and healthcare professionals on medication use
Monitoring for drug interactions and adverse effects
Managing pharmacy operations and stock
Providing public health services (e.g., vaccinations, health checks)

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires an MPharm degree (4 years) followed by a foundation training year. Registration with the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) is mandatory.

Career outlook

Expanding clinical role in primary care. Demand is stable, with growing opportunities in prescribing, clinical pharmacology and specialist hospital roles.

Key skills

Pharmaceutical knowledge Clinical assessment Attention to detail Patient communication Regulatory compliance

Common industries

Community pharmacy
Hospital pharmacy
NHS
Pharmaceutical industry
Primary care

Data coverage

SOC code 2251

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 60,000

Median Salary

£47,508

Mean Salary

£46,146

Jobs (000s)

60k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £32,284Median: £47,508P75: £57,338

P10: £23kP25: £32kMedian: £48kP75: £57kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£23,171

0-2 years

Mid Level

£32,284

3-7 years

Senior

£57,338

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +147% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +30.5%Real growth: -5.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 23.1%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£47,508

Full-time Only

£53,772

Full-time premium: +£6,264

Pharmacists salary: common questions

How much do pharmacists earn in the UK?

Pharmacists earn a median of £53,772 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £32,284 and £57,338.

Is £53,772 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for pharmacists?

Entry-level pharmacists typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £32,284, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £23,171.

Have pharmacists salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median pharmacists pay has risen from £41,648 to £53,772 — +29% in cash terms, or -6.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for pharmacists?

Male pharmacists earn a median £55,467 and female pharmacists £42,657 — a gap of +23% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).