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Pharmacist Salary, Job Duties, and Education Requirements

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.

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