Life As a Pharmacist
Occupation Description 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.
Life As a Pharmacist
- Publish educational information for other pharmacists, doctors, or patients.
- Plan, implement, or maintain procedures for mixing, packaging, or labeling pharmaceuticals, according to policy and legal requirements, to ensure quality, security, and proper disposal.
- Manage pharmacy operations, hiring or supervising staff, performing administrative duties, or buying or selling non-pharmaceutical merchandise.
- Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly.
- 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.
- Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
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Skills Needed to be a Pharmacist
Pharmacists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Other Pharmacist Job Titles
- Doctor of Pharmacy
- Pharmacy Informaticist
- Hospital Pharmacist
- Registered Pharmacist
- Prescriptionist
Is There Going to be Demand for Pharmacists?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 312,500 jobs in the United States for Pharmacist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 17,400 new jobs for Pharmacist by 2026. The BLS estimates 15,300 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Pharmacist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Wisconsin, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Pharmacist Make?
The typical yearly salary for Pharmacists is somewhere between $87,790 and $161,250.
Pharmacists who work in Alaska, California, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Pharmacists in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $122,200 |
Alaska | $139,880 |
Arizona | $125,210 |
Arkansas | $118,320 |
California | $139,690 |
Colorado | $120,980 |
Connecticut | $123,950 |
Delaware | $125,400 |
District of Columbia | $125,160 |
Florida | $119,710 |
Georgia | $118,710 |
Hawaii | $121,780 |
Idaho | $121,940 |
Illinois | $125,360 |
Indiana | $117,260 |
Iowa | $116,160 |
Kansas | $121,790 |
Kentucky | $122,450 |
Louisiana | $119,380 |
Maine | $133,050 |
Maryland | $121,210 |
Massachusetts | $116,890 |
Michigan | $117,680 |
Minnesota | $129,080 |
Mississippi | $124,120 |
Missouri | $128,420 |
Montana | $112,290 |
Nebraska | $119,670 |
Nevada | $124,430 |
New Hampshire | $127,350 |
New Jersey | $120,660 |
New Mexico | $125,450 |
New York | $121,030 |
North Carolina | $123,370 |
North Dakota | $103,250 |
Ohio | $116,720 |
Oklahoma | $115,000 |
Oregon | $130,480 |
Pennsylvania | $116,200 |
Rhode Island | $120,890 |
South Carolina | $122,900 |
South Dakota | $116,410 |
Tennessee | $124,310 |
Texas | $126,800 |
Utah | $117,570 |
Vermont | $135,420 |
Virginia | $123,920 |
Washington | $127,360 |
West Virginia | $115,130 |
Wisconsin | $132,400 |
Wyoming | $117,700 |
What Tools & Technology do Pharmacists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Pharmacists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- MEDITECH software
- Epic Systems
- Recordkeeping software
- Pyxis MedStation software
- Label-making software
Becoming a Pharmacist
What kind of Pharmacist requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Pharmacist?
Where Pharmacists Are Employed
Pharmacists work in the following industries:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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