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.
Pharmacists
SOC: 29-1051 O*NET: 29-1051.00
Median Salary
$137,480
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.6%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
14.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Pharmacists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$86,930
10th percentile
Early Career
$127,250
25th percentile
Median
$137,480
50th percentile
Experienced
$158,620
75th percentile
Top Earners
$172,040
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$86,930
25th
$127,250
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$137,480
Mean: $137,210
75th
$158,620
90th
$172,040
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $85,110 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $127,250 and $158,620
- •Salary spread is 22.8% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 328,870 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:335,100
Top Industries
Retail Trade52.1%
Health and Personal Care Retailers38.2%
Health and Personal Care Retailers38.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.6%
Annual Openings:14,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)335,100
Current
2034 (Projected)350,500
+4.6%
+15,400
Employment Change
+4.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Pharmacists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
34,490 jobs$165,1500.90x
Texas
22,720 jobs$136,9500.77x
New York
21,330 jobs$136,3501.05x
Florida
20,270 jobs$135,4600.97x
Pennsylvania
15,120 jobs$135,8301.18x
Ohio
13,700 jobs$134,4401.16x
Illinois
12,450 jobs$135,8800.96x
Georgia
11,480 jobs$132,4001.11x
North Carolina
11,440 jobs$136,0001.09x
New Jersey
10,930 jobs$132,5101.21x
Michigan
9,640 jobs$136,0701.03x
Tennessee
8,050 jobs$131,2901.15x
Massachusetts
7,950 jobs$136,0301.02x
Washington
7,940 jobs$157,0201.05x
Virginia
7,700 jobs$137,4700.89x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers100%
5 shared skills
Urologists100%
5 shared skills
Audiologists100%
5 shared skills
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators100%
5 shared skills
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists100%
5 shared skills
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Pharmacists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Epic Systems
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (3)General Responsibilities (7)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Management & Supervision (3)Planning & Development (2)Training & Development (2)
1
Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Provide specialized services to help patients manage conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pressure.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Advise customers on the selection of medication brands, medical equipment, or healthcare supplies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Compound and dispense medications as prescribed by doctors and dentists, by calculating, weighing, measuring, and mixing ingredients, or oversee these activities.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Refer patients to other health professionals or agencies when appropriate.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Pharmacists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Pharmacists professionals typically have a ISC Holland code and highly value recognition
IInvestigative
SSocial
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Pharmacists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.78
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.69
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.63
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.62
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.56
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.43
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Concern for Others
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Dependability
4.6
Cooperation
4.6
Integrity
4.4
Self-Control
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Leadership
4.2
Persistence
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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