Pharmacists provide many valuable services to patients, such as filling medications, warning of potential side effects of medications, administering vaccines, and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for pharmacists in 2014 was $118,470, and the average hourly wage was $56.96.
In this article (and video), you’ll learn the job duties of a pharmacist, detailed salary statistics, education requirements for pharmacists (“how to become a pharmacist“), and more.
Pharmacist Job Duties: “A Day in the Life of a Pharmacist”
What are the job duties of a pharmacist? That’s a great question. Here are some common duties a pharmacist will perform on the job:
- Fill prescriptions and verify instructions from physicians on the proper amounts of medication to give to patients
- Check for potential medication interactions for patients
- Instruct patients on how and when to take a prescribed medicine and inform them about potential side effects they may experience from taking the medicine
- Administer flu shots and other vaccines
- Advise patients about general health topics, such as diet, exercise, and managing stress, and on other issues, such as what equipment or supplies would be best to treat a health problem
- Complete insurance forms and work with insurance companies to ensure that patients get the medicines they need
- Oversee the work of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in training (interns)
- Maintain patient records and perform other administrative tasks
- instruct other healthcare practitioners about proper medication therapies for patients
- Maintain and restock inventory
Pharmacist Education Requirements
What are the education requirements to become a pharmacist? If you want to become a pharmacist, you’ll generally need to meet the following education requirements:
- 2-4 years of an undergraduate program. Most pharmacy students complete a bachelor’s degree, but some enter pharmacy school with only two years of undergraduate work.
- Next, you’ll have to pass the PCAT exam (Pharmacy College Admissions Test) to gain entrance into a pharmacy program.
- You’ll have to complete your Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.), which takes 3-4 years on average.
- Alternatively, the BLS did report that some programs exist which allow students to enter a six-year program straight out of high school.
- You’ll also have to complete hours as an intern, which may vary depending on your state (some advanced pharmacy positions require residency of 1-2 years)
- Finally, you will have to be licensed to practice as a pharmacist, as discussed below.
Pharmacist Licensure Requirements
After students finish the Pharm.D. education program, prospective 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.
Pharmacists may also need certification to perform certain duties, such as administering vaccinations or to become a Certified Diabetes Educator.
Do Pharmacists Like Their Job?
Most pharmacists are satisfied with their jobs, but as with all careers, they have their likes and dislikes. Here’s what most pharmacists like about their job:
- They are able to make a difference in a person’s life. Numerous times a pharmacist will make a medication recommendation that improves a person’s life.
- The salary is nice (see below).
- There is a lot of routine involved, and many pharmacists perform the same day-to-day tasks. Thus, they become highly competent and know what to expect on the job.
Here’s what most pharmacists dislike about their job:
- Some feel that they are disrespected by doctors and nurses.
- They work very hard filling orders and answering questions, which can be stressful and exhausting.
- Most complain about paperwork and insurance billing issues.
Pharmacist Average Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2014 to 2024, which was slower than the average for all occupations. This slow growth may be attributed to changes in healthcare laws, as well as changes in technology. 290,780 pharmacists were employed in 2014 in the United States.
The average salary for pharmacists in 2014 was $118,470, and the average hourly wage was $56.96. Detailed salary statistics for all 50 states are listed below.
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment | Employment RSE | Mean hourly wage | Mean annual wage | Wage RSE |
| 290,780 | 0.7 % | $56.96 | $118,470 | 0.2 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $42.94 | $51.21 | $58.15 | $66.35 | $72.38 |
| Annual Wage | $89,320 | $106,520 | $120,950 | $138,010 | $150,550 |
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Health and Personal Care Stores | 125,810 | 12.33 | $57.41 | $119,420 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 66,010 | 1.26 | $56.58 | $117,690 |
| Grocery Stores | 23,240 | 0.89 | $55.33 | $115,080 |
| Other General Merchandise Stores | 16,290 | 0.91 | $61.22 | $127,350 |
| Department Stores | 12,980 | 0.93 | $56.51 | $117,540 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 190 | 0.03 | $62.40 | $129,790 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 180 | 0.02 | $61.60 | $128,130 |
| Offices of Physicians | 5,160 | 0.21 | $61.32 | $127,550 |
| Other General Merchandise Stores | 16,290 | 0.91 | $61.22 | $127,350 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 3,700 | 0.53 | $60.57 | $125,980 |
Top paying states for this occupation:
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Alaska | 480 | 1.48 | 0.69 | $65.54 | $136,320 |
| California | 28,300 | 1.87 | 0.87 | $63.54 | $132,160 |
| Maine | 1,250 | 2.13 | 0.99 | $62.07 | $129,100 |
| New Hampshire | 1,070 | 1.71 | 0.80 | $59.88 | $124,540 |
| Wisconsin | 5,600 | 2.05 | 0.95 | $59.28 | $123,290 |
Lowest paying states for pharmacists:
| State: | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Puerto Rico | 38.87 | 80,850 |
| Guam | 48.35 | 100,570 |
| Nebraska | 48.38 | 100,630 |
| Iowa | 48.44 | 100,750 |
| Virgin Islands | 49.37 | 102,680 |
| Montana | 51.28 | 106,670 |
| South Dakota | 52.10 | 108,360 |
| Rhode Island | 52.84 | 109,900 |
Pharmacist Salary for all 50 States
| State: | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Alabama | 58.66 | 122,010 |
| Alaska | 65.54 | 136,320 |
| Arizona | 57.35 | 119,280 |
| Arkansas | 54.68 | 113,730 |
| California | 63.54 | 132,160 |
| Colorado | 55.96 | 116,390 |
| Connecticut | 57.41 | 119,420 |
| Delaware | 54.77 | 113,920 |
| District of Columbia | 53.62 | 111,530 |
| Florida | 54.99 | 114,380 |
| Georgia | 56.36 | 117,220 |
| Guam | 48.35 | 100,570 |
| Hawaii | 56.05 | 116,590 |
| Idaho | 54.32 | 112,980 |
| Illinois | 55.91 | 116,290 |
| Indiana | 55.55 | 115,540 |
| Iowa | 48.44 | 100,750 |
| Kansas | 57.33 | 119,240 |
| Kentucky | 58.70 | 122,090 |
| Louisiana | 54.36 | 113,070 |
| Maine | 62.07 | 129,100 |
| Maryland | 57.80 | 120,230 |
| Massachusetts | 54.49 | 113,330 |
| Michigan | 54.21 | 112,760 |
| Minnesota | 58.60 | 121,880 |
| Mississippi | 57.94 | 120,520 |
| Missouri | 58.91 | 122,530 |
| Montana | 51.28 | 106,670 |
| Nebraska | 48.38 | 100,630 |
| Nevada | 57.62 | 119,850 |
| New Hampshire | 59.88 | 124,540 |
| New Jersey | 56.52 | 117,560 |
| New Mexico | 56.80 | 118,130 |
| New York | 57.16 | 118,900 |
| North Carolina | 59.16 | 123,050 |
| North Dakota | 54.64 | 113,660 |
| Ohio | 55.31 | 115,050 |
| Oklahoma | 54.60 | 113,570 |
| Oregon | 58.51 | 121,700 |
| Pennsylvania | 53.06 | 110,360 |
| Puerto Rico | 38.87 | 80,850 |
| Rhode Island | 52.84 | 109,900 |
| South Carolina | 55.96 | 116,400 |
| South Dakota | 52.10 | 108,360 |
| Tennessee | 57.05 | 118,670 |
| Texas | 57.15 | 118,870 |
| Utah | 56.73 | 117,990 |
| Vermont | 59.08 | 122,890 |
| Virgin Islands | 49.37 | 102,680 |
| Virginia | 56.90 | 118,360 |
| Washington | 57.42 | 119,430 |
| West Virginia | 55.77 | 116,010 |
| Wisconsin | 59.28 | 123,290 |
| Wyoming | 53.88 | 112,070 |
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Pharmacists, on the Internet at bls.gov.