Pharmacists
SOC Code: 29-1051Also known as:
Apothecary, Clinical Pharmacist, District Pharmacy Supervisor, Druggist, Float Pharmacist
Median Annual Salary
$137,480
+4.6% growth (2024-2034)
14K
Openings/Year
335K
Current Jobs
What Pharmacists Do
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
💰 Salary
$137,480
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+4.6%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
14K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
335,100
Projected Employment (2034)
350,500
Related Careers
Physician assistants
$133,260 •
+20.4% growth
Nurse practitioners
$129,210 •
+40.1% growth
Emergency medicine physicians
N/A •
+2.7% growth
Family medicine physicians
$238,380 •
+2.7% growth
General internal medicine physicians
$236,350 •
+3.3% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Writing
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
- Assess the identity, strength, or purity of medications.
- Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
- Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
- Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.
- Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.
- Plan, implement, or maintain procedures for mixing, packaging, or labeling pharmaceuticals, according to policy and legal requirements, to ensure quality, security, and proper disposal.
- Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly.
- Compound and dispense medications as prescribed by doctors and dentists, by calculating, weighing, measuring, and mixing ingredients, or oversee these activities.
- Contact insurance companies to resolve billing issues.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Doctoral Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Pharmacists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a pharmacists:
Pharmacy
12,167 degrees awarded •
144 colleges offer this program
Clinical, Hospital, and Managed Care Pharmacy
20 degrees awarded •
5 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Pharmacists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become pharmacists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make?
The median annual salary for pharmacists is $137,480.
What education do pharmacists need?
Most pharmacists positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
Common degree programs include Pharmacy, Clinical, Hospital, and Managed Care Pharmacy.
Is becoming pharmacists a good career choice?
Pharmacists is projected to see +4.6% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 14,200 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for pharmacists?
Top colleges for aspiring pharmacists include
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Florida, University of Southern California, University of Georgia, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to pharmacists?
Pharmacists may also be known as: Apothecary, Clinical Pharmacist, District Pharmacy Supervisor, Druggist, Float Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacist, Industrial Pharmacist, Informatics Pharmacist, Pharm D (Pharmacy Doctor), Pharmacist, Pharmacist in Charge (PIC), Pharmacy Consultant, Pharmacy Coordinator, Pharmacy Informaticist, Pharmacy Operations Manager, Pharmacy Resident, Pharmacy Services Clinical Coordinator, Prescriptionist, Radiopharmacist, Registered Pharmacist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.