Pharmacist

What is this job like?		Back to Top

Pharmacists give medicine to people when a doctor says that they need it. They tell people how to use the medicine correctly.

Pharmacists are experts in medicine and its side effects. They sometimes help doctors choose which medicines to give patients. Pharmacists also warn doctors if the doctors have asked their patients to take any medicine that might hurt their patients.

Sometimes, pharmacists mix the medicine themselves. Most often, though, they use medicines that are already made.

Pharmacists most often work in drug stores. These stores are clean and have a lot of light. Many pharmacists must stand while they work. Pharmacists must wear gloves and masks when they work with dangerous chemicals. Some pharmacists work at night or on weekends. This is because sick people may need medicine at any time. Most pharmacists work about 40 hours a week, but some work longer hours.

How do you get ready?		Back to Top

Pharmacists must have a license from the State in which they work. After high school, it usually takes at least 6 years of study, including college and pharmacy school, to become a pharmacist. The person must also pass a test. People who want to be pharmacists should be good at science and math. They should be good at dealing with people. They should also be able to work carefully, because they often deal with strong medicine.

How much does this job pay?		Back to Top

The middle half of all pharmacists made between $83,180 and $108,140 a year in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent made less than $67,860. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $119,480 a year.

How many jobs are there?		Back to Top

There were about 243,000 pharmacists in 2006. Most of them worked in drug stores. Some worked in hospitals and other places.

What about the future?		Back to Top

Employment of pharmacists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. There will be more elderly people in the future, and they will probably need medicines to deal with the problems of getting older. More pharmacists also will be needed as new medicines are developed.

Very good employment opportunities are expected for pharmacists. It is usually easy for pharmacy graduates to find jobs.

Are there other jobs like this?		Back to Top

• Biological scientists
• Chemists
• Medical scientists
• Pharmacologists
• Pharmacy aides
• Pharmacy technicians

Where can you find more information?		Back to Top

More BLS information about pharmacists can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

Last Modified Date: April 29, 2008