Salaries are annual unless otherwise stated.
Salary and wage information for New Zealand professions is compiled regularly by analysis of New Zealand jobs advertised in major publications.
There is a shortage of pharmacists in New Zealand. As a result employment prospects for hospital pharmacists, industrial pharmacists and retail pharmacists are good.
The main qualification for this occupation in New Zealand is a four year BPharm degree which can be obtained at either Auckland or Otago University followed by completion of a one year Intern Training programme.
Pharmacists must be registered by The Pharmacy Council of New Zealand and hold an Annual Practising Certificate.
In 2019 there were 3,832 practising pharmacists in New Zealand, an increase of 1.2% on 2018.
There were 225 new pharmacists registered in New Zealand in the year up to 30 June 2019 and 243 intern pharmacists registered.*
Intern pharmacists usually earn around $48,000 – $58,000.
After several years’ experience earnings typically for registered pharmacists range between $70,000 and $100,000.
Pharmacist Salaries / Wages in 2020
| Position | Salary / Wage $ | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Pharmacist | 80,000 + | Auckland |
| Dispensing Pharmacist | 65,000 – 75,000 | Auckland |
| Charge Pharmacist | 75,000 – 95,000 | Christchurch |
| Full-time Pharmacist | 80,000 – 89,000 | Waikato |
| Pharmacist Manager | 90,000 – 120,000 | Taranaki New Plymouth |
| General Pharmacist | 75,000 – 100,000 | Wellington |
| Community Pharmacist | 50,000 – 75,000 | North Island |
| Pharmacist | up to 80,000 | Palmerston North |
| Pharmacist | 40 – 48 per hour | Hawkes Bay |
| Locum Pharmacist | 30 – 40 per hour | Christchurch |
| Pharmacist | 58,000 – 78,000 | Christchurch |
| | ||
For comparison, the average hourly wage in New Zealand for the quarter ending 31 March 2020 was $33.20 according to Statistics New Zealand. This would give an annual average salary of around $65,600, working standard full-time hours (38 hours).
*Data from The Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
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Considering the level and years of study required to become a pharmacist, the pay rates are truly appalling.