An embodiment of a variable stage charge pump includes a plurality of pump stages. Each stage is configured to generate an intermediate boosted output voltage. A pump stage selector selects the number of charge pump stages to be coupled between an input and output terminal of the variable stage charge pump. The pump stage selector may control a plurality of switches to select the number of stages. For example, two stages maybe coupled in parallel and the parallel combination coupled in series to a third stage, resulting in a two stage charge pump. For a three stage charge pump, all three stages are coupled in series.