Pharmacists
Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $140,910/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +4.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 14,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Pharmacists?
The median pay for Pharmacists is $140,910 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Pharmacists?
Employment for Pharmacists is projected to change +4.6% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Pharmacists?
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Pharmacists?
About 14,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.