Pharmacist Career Guide

Are you detail-oriented and conscientious? Are you seeking a career that involves helping others? If yes, then we think you may find a career as a pharmacist a good fit!

As key members of the medical community, pharmacists dispense prescribed medications, assist patients in understanding how to take their medicines, offer general health guidance, and help ensure patients do not take medications that have adverse effects when combined with other medications. To become a pharmacist, you will need to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree.

I love being a pharmacist because of a young man whose pain medication I refused to continue to refill as I told him I was concerned for his health with long-term use. I told him to get a second opinion and suggested some options for him. He came back 2 years later to thank me and to tell me that he was off medications and able to work again. I love being a pharmacist because of the burly old man whom I talked into having his feet checked at one of my diabetes days. His father had a history of lower extremity amputations. He told me later that I saved his life.

Kathleen Jane Cross

Pharmacist Career Ratings

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Income

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Personal Growth

Contribution

Influence

Job Profiles

Real-Life Pharmacist Job Profiles

Below is a list of links to anonymous job profiles of REAL PEOPLE who have filled out our survey and offered to share their insights with our users about their job in the Pharmacist field.

ID	Job Title	Gender	Age	Earnings	City & State	Date
33908	Pharmacist	Female	26	$90,000	Charlottesville, VA	01/01/2010
33560	RPh	Female	29	$97,000	Tarrytown, NY	01/01/2010
32661	Clinical Pharmacy Specialist	Female	48	$110,000	Grand Island, NY	01/01/2010
32568	Pharmacist	Female	22	$130,000	danville, CA	01/01/2010
32428	Pharmacy Manager	Female	29	$120,000	Houston, TX	01/01/2010

Overview

What a Pharmacist does

Many pharmacists work in retail pharmacies, but some may work in hospital pharmacies. Pharmacists also can work in research, consulting, and sales for drug manufacturers. Others find work teaching in doctor of pharmacy programs. Regardless of where they work, all pharmacists will conduct duties and responsibilities such as:

Filling prescriptions and verifying instructions from physicians on the proper amounts of medication to give patients
Checking whether prescriptions will interact negatively with other medication that a patient is taking
Instructing patients on how and when to take a prescribed medicine
Informing patients about potential side effects from taking the medicine
Giving flu shots and, in most states, other vaccinations
Advising patients about general health topics, such as diet, exercise, and managing stress
Completing insurance forms and working with insurance companies to ensure that patients get the medicines they need
Overseeing the work of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in training

Why they are needed

Pharmacists are key members of the medical community. Without them, taking medicine would be disastrous and there would be many fatalities from taking medication incorrectly! Pharmacists are needed because:

They can check the quality of the medicines we receive
They ensure that the medicine we receive is within the law
They ensure that the medicines prescribes to the patients are suitable
They advise patients on the safe way to take their medication

The pros and cons of a career as a pharmacist

Pros:

It is a well-respected and well-regarded career
There a jobs in every industry, which means there is a wide variety of jobs
Pharmacists will have jobs worldwide
It is a sociable career as pharmacists get to work with and help lots of different people
There is high job stability in the pharmacy industry

Cons:

The educational requirements are extensive
Pharmacists are responsible for the safety of many people, which can make it high-pressured
Pharmacists need to be physically fit as they have to stand up for a lot of the day
Pharmacists may have to work long hours
It can be quite a competitive industry

Employability

Job Market

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of pharmacists is projected to decline 3 percent from 2019 to 2029. This decline is expected because more people are expected to fill their prescriptions via mail order or online, which will reduce the demand for pharmacists in retail and drug stores. In addition, pharmacy technicians can now perform tasks that were previously done by pharmacists (e.g., collecting patient information, preparing medication and verifying the work of other technicians), which will lessen the demand.

However, the demand for pharmacists in healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics, is expected to increase. More pharmacists will be required in this field to oversee the medications given to patients and to provide patient care (e.g., doing blood sugar or cholesterol tests).

Career paths

The educational route to becoming a pharmacist is extensive. Pharmacists are required to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree, which is a postgraduate professional degree, that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). During these programs, aspiring pharmacists will take courses in chemistry, pharmacology and medical ethics. Students will also complete supervised work experience (sometimes referred to as an ‘internship’) in different settings, such as hospitals or retail pharmacies. These Pharm.D programs usually take four years to finish. In some circumstances, schools will admit high school graduates into a 6-year program.

The requirements to get accepted in a Doctor of Pharmacy program vary depending on the program. However, in order to get accepted onto a degree program aspiring pharmacists will need:

To have taken postsecondary courses such as chemistry, biology and physics
At least 2 years of undergraduate study as a minimum, but some courses require a bachelor’s degree
Completing the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)

After finishing these programs, some pharmacists will work for hospitals or retail pharmacies. Or, they may choose to get a masters degree in business administration (MBA) and open their own pharmacy.

Example Job Titles for Pharmacist

Below is a list of common job titles in the Pharmacist field. Click the links below for more information about these job titles, or view the next section for actual real-life job profiles.

Benefits & Conditions

Income and benefits

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for pharmacists in the United states was $128,090 in 2019. The lowest 10% earned less than $88,400 per year, and the highest 10% earned more than $162,900 per year.

The top paying industry was general merchandise stores, which has a median annual salary of $136,320. This was followed by food and beverage stores ($132,750), hospitals ($129,740) and finally pharmacies and drug stores ($125,910).

Autonomy and flexibility

Pharmacists often have the final say with regards to the medication they can give patients, although they must always act in the patients best interests. Pharmacists who set up their own pharmacy will have great autonomy, and they will have flexibility over their schedule.

Locations and commute

According to Zippia, the best states to be a pharmacist, based on average annual salary and number of job opportunities available, are:

Nevada, where the average annual salary is $141,752
Oregon, where the average annual salary is $150,675
Rhode Island, where the average annual salary is $129,552
New Hampshire, where the average annual salary is $133,978
New Mexico, where the average annual salary is $132,096

The worst states, according to Zippia, are Iowa, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming and North Dakota.

Work environment

42% of pharmacists in the United States were employed by pharmacies and drug stores.. 26% were employed by hospitals, 8% by food and beverage stores and 5% by general merchandise stores. In nearly all of these settings, pharmacists will spend most of their workday on their feet. As a result, they need to have physical stamina.

Career Satisfaction

Common Matching Personality Types

Which personalities tend to succeed and thrive in Pharmacist careers? Based on our research, there is a relatively strong positive correlation between the following personality types and Pharmacist career satisfaction. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t many exceptions, of course, but if you fit into one of the following personality types then we suggest you give strong consideration to a career in Pharmacist.

Enneagram

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Holland Codes (RIASEC)

Personality types

Pharmacists are likely to have inquisitive personalities. They will be curious and will want to take the time to research and understand things. They will also be incredible conscientious and conventional, as it is essential the pharmacists can pay attention to the smallest of details. Furthermore, pharmacists are likely to have social and caring personalities, as much of their work revolves around helping and caring for others.

Accomplishment and mastery

Pharmacists have to study for a long time in order to become qualified and licensed. When they eventually qualify and are allowed to help others, they will feel a high sense of accomplishment or mastery. Furthermore, some pharmacists may progress to owning their own pharmacy. When they get to this level, they will feel hugely accomplished and have a great feeling of skill mastery.

Meaning and contribution

As mentioned previously, pharmacists are key medical professionals. Their work has great meaning and contribution as they ensure that drugs are administered correctly, and that patients are aware of their side effects. Without them, we would have no idea how to take the medicine that helps us with a wide array of medical issues, from diabetes to cancer.

Life fit

Most pharmacists work normal full time hours, which can provide an excellent life fit. However, because many pharmacies are open at all hours, some pharmacists may have to work nights and weekends.

Who will thrive?

To thrive as a pharmacists, you must have expertise in such fields as chemistry, biology, and human anatomy in order to make well-informed decisions when dispensing medications. Strong analytical skills are also required to thrive, as pharmacists must be able to interpret prescriptions and make sure what is prescribed will not react poorly with the other medications the patient is taking. Being detail oriented is also crucial to thrive. This ensure accuracy when filling a prescription that will help patients avoid bad reactions to medicines. Excellent communication and computer skills are also necessary.

Who will struggle?

Firstly, those who are not willing to commit to the educational process to become a successful pharmacist will struggle in this career. Those who are not confident managing others may struggle as a pharmacist, who is responsible for leading other professionals. Finally, those who can’t pay attention to detail may struggle, as pharmacists must ensure that they are giving patients the correct dosage.

Requirements

Quick Glance

Skills

Degrees

Skills and talents

Pharmacists will need many skills, such as:

Attention to detail, as pharmacists will need to ensure they read prescriptions correctly to make sure they give the correct dosage
Computer skills, as pharmacists need computer skills in order to use any electronic health record (EHR) systems that their organization has adopted
Communication and interpersonal skills, as pharmacists will need to communicate with patients and build relations with them
Leadership skills, as pharmacists are responsible for leading and instructing other professionals (e.g., pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns)
Analytical skills, as pharmacists must provide safe medications efficiently. To do this, they must be able to evaluate a patient’s needs and the prescriber’s orders, and have extensive knowledge of the effects and appropriate circumstances for giving out a specific medication

Education

Pharmacists must obtain a doctor of pharmacy degree and pass two licensure exams before they can pursue work. A typical doctor of pharmacy program lasts four years and includes courses in chemistry, biology, anatomy, pharmacology, and medical ethics. Many pharmacy programs require at least two years of undergraduate studies, and some require a bachelor’s degree. Additional training may be required for certain pharmacist positions.

Certificates

All states require pharmacists to be licensed. After they finish their Pharm.D. program, aspiring pharmacists must pass two exams to get a license. The North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) tests pharmacy skills and knowledge. The Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) or a state-specific test on pharmacy law is also required. Applicants also must complete a number of hours as an intern, which varies by state.

Pharmacists who administer vaccinations and immunizations need to be certified in most states. Typically, they use the American Pharmacists Association’s Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery program as a qualification for certification.

Pharmacists also may choose to earn a certification to show their advanced level of knowledge in a certain area. For instance, a pharmacist may become a Certified Diabetes Educator, a qualification offered by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators, or earn certification in a specialty area, such as nutrition or oncology, from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties.

How to Become

Pharmacists are key members of the medical community, without them, taking medication would be disastrous! They are responsible for dispensing prescribed medications, assisting patients in understanding how to take their medicines, offering general health guidance and helping ensure patients do not take medications that have adverse effects when combined with other medications.

Immediate action

To have the best chance of getting accepted onto a Doctor of Pharmacy program aspiring pharmacists should aim to participate in as many extra curricular activities as possible (e.g., sports, teaching, quizzes, drama etc).

Education and learning

Skill development

Pharmacists must also take continuing education course throughout their career to keep up with the latest advances in pharmacological science.

FAQs

Ask a Question

Have a question about Pharmacist careers? If so, our mentors would love to help! Just click on a mentor’s profile below and then fill out the “Ask a Question” form on that page. Your question will then be emailed to the mentor, who can then email you a reply.

ID	Job Title	Gender	Age	Earnings	City & State	Date
33908	Pharmacist	Female	26	$90,000	Charlottesville, VA	01/01/2010
33560	RPh	Female	29	$97,000	Tarrytown, NY	01/01/2010
32661	Clinical Pharmacy Specialist	Female	48	$110,000	Grand Island, NY	01/01/2010
32568	Pharmacist	Female	22	$130,000	danville, CA	01/01/2010
32428	Pharmacy Manager	Female	29	$120,000	Houston, TX	01/01/2010

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