“Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also love of humanity.” -Hippocrates
This quote perfectly sums up what the pharmacy industry is all about - love of medicine and humanity.
In this world where medicines serve as a lifeline for many people, pharmacists are at the forefront of promoting better health and quality patient care.
With the increasing need for medicines, it is not surprising that pharmacists are one of the sought-after occupations today. Expected to generate in the next few years, the industry’s job outlook is definitely looking bright.
Not only that but it's also considered one of the best-paying medical and healthcare jobs, making it a great career path for anyone who wants to play a part in helping people heal and recover while also earning well.
If you’re looking to start a thriving career in this industry, check out our list of the highest-paying pharmacist jobs in the U.S. below.
As a quantitative pharmacology professional, a pharmacometrician uses a combination of mathematics, statistics, and pharmacology to examine and evaluate the effect of drug substances on animals and humans.
He is responsible for developing the drug's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models to help illustrate how the chemicals are absorbed, metabolized, distributed, and eliminated inside the body.
Their research findings provide pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies with valuable insights into optimizing and enforcing drug development strategies and trials.
Landing the highest-paying pharmacy position requires extensive education, technical skills, and practical experience. Here are some of the steps or requirements that you need to fulfill to get there:
Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, bioinformatics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, pharmacology, and other related fields,
Master's and Doctorate with a specialization in pharmacokinetics, pharmacometrics, pharmacodynamics, and other relevant areas of study,
Years of work experience in the research, regulatory, and academic industry,
State licensure and certifications demonstrating your proficiency in data analysis and modeling software and tools.
As per Glassdoor, pharmacometricians are being paid an average salary of per year.
On top of that, they may also receive average cash bonuses worth USD 19,900.
While pharmacy managers are responsible for managing the operations of a specific pharmacy area, directors are in charge of handling the functions of the entire pharmacy department—from in-patient to outpatient, purchasing, clinical, and many more.
They oversee all aspects of the organization and collaborate with the managers to ensure the highest quality of patient care, optimized pharmacy services, compliance with laws and regulations, better performance, and increased job satisfaction among the pharmacy staff.
A Doctor of Pharmacy degree is the minimum requirement to become a pharmacy director.
In addition to this, you also need state licensure, years of experience working as a staff pharmacist, and additional experience working as a pharmacist manager.
To increase your chances of landing this senior management role, obtaining a master’s in business administration or hospital administration is highly recommended.
The estimated total pay for Pharmacy directors amounts to .
Since this is a senior management position, it may also come with an additional pay of USD 22,300 in the form of cash bonuses and profit sharing.
A clinical pharmacologist is a type of medical scientist who works with physicians and other medical specialists to discover and develop new medications for treating rare diseases and illnesses. He is also responsible for testing medications on cell and tissue samples.
He is also in charge of conducting and overseeing clinical trials on human volunteers to determine the new drug’s effect on the body, standardize drug dosage, and explore potential side effects.
They also ensure that all trials and studies follow safety procedures and comply with regulatory laws.
Becoming a pharmacologist starts with an undergraduate degree in life sciences, including pharmaceutical sciences, biology, chemistry, and others.
Most employers look for candidates with advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. in pharmacology, a Doctor of Pharmacy (Ph.D.), or a Doctor of Medicine (MD).
If you plan on participating in human clinical trials, obtaining postdoctoral pharmacology training or fellowship is also highly recommended.
A clinical pharmacologist earns an annual median wage of and an estimated additional pay of USD 30,200 per year.
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Clinical pharmacists' primary responsibility is to ensure that their patients receive the right type and dosage of medications at the right time and in the right way.
Their extensive medical expertise and knowledge of drug risk factors and interactions make them qualified to provide direct patient care, administer medications, and monitor their effects on patients.
They work directly with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide specialized drug therapy and optimal patient care.
Clinical pharmacists work in various specialties and healthcare settings, including hospitals, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics.
A career in clinical pharmacy starts with an undergraduate degree in biology, microbiology, and pharmaceutical sciences.
The next step is to obtain a 4-year pharmacy doctorate program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
After that, completing a 2-year specialized training and securing several certifications will qualify you for working in different areas of specialties.
Lastly, you must pass the North American Pharmacists Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) to secure your state licensure.
Here are projected earnings for the highest-paid clinical pharmacy specializations:
Psychiatric Pharmacists:
Pediatric Pharmacists:
Clinical Oncology Pharmacists:
Ambulatory Care Pharmacists:
Pharmacists in hospital settings cater to patients who deal with chronic conditions and more complex illnesses.
They play a significant role in providing patients with the highest quality of care through the proper selection and use of drugs.
Their primary duties include preparing and dispensing medications, providing drug information, including proper drug use and potential side effects, and monitoring and maintaining inventory.
The requirements to becoming a hospital pharmacist are similar to those of a retail pharmacist, including a PharmD degree and state licensure by passing the NAPLEX or MPJE examination, depending on the state where you wish to practice.
On top of that, most hospitals look for candidates with at least 1 to 2 years of pharmacy work experience or residency training programs.
According to Glassdoor, a hospital staff pharmacist earns an estimated annual pay of .
Depending on the pay structure, they may also receive an additional yearly compensation of USD 14,300.
Retail pharmacists work retail pharmacies where they prepare and dispense the proper medications to the public. They also take part in upholding safe and effective drug use by advising patients on drug interactions, contraindications, and side effects.
Part of their duties includes evaluating the patient's prescription for accuracy and validity, administering vaccinations according to state laws, and ensuring all medications are properly labeled.
They also promote better community health by conducting health and wellness screenings, including blood pressure monitoring and blood sugar checks, to the public.
Additionally, they are responsible for overseeing the pharmacy operations and evaluating the performance of pharmacy technicians.
The minimum requirement to become a retail pharmacist is a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and a state license, which you can get after passing the NAPLEX and MPJE examinations.
Retail pharmacists make an annual median wage of which may even include a cash bonus or extra compensation worth USD 6,200.
A pharmaceutical scientist is a type of scientist who plays a unique role in every step of the process of developing new medications.
They are responsible for developing and designing new drug molecules and compounds during drug discovery using advanced tools and scientific methods.
After screening the potential candidates, they are in charge of conducting pre-clinical and clinical trials to determine the drug’s optimal delivery, dosage, formulation, and stability.
The last step is the drug evaluation, where they are tasked to perform a post-marketing evaluation designed to monitor the medication's effectiveness and safety.
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