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See all posts Frank GogolBest Paying Pharmacist Jobs
Updated on February 26, 2024
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The pharmacy field offers a wide range of career paths, each with its unique responsibilities and rewards. In this blog, we’ll explore the top ten pharmacist jobs, highlighting their job titles, average salaries, job descriptions, responsibilities, and required education.
Pediatric Pharmacist
- Average Salary: $132,037
- Job Description: Pediatric pharmacists specialize in providing safe and effective drug therapy for children up to 18 years of age. They focus on alternative dosages and specialized drug therapy monitoring tailored to pediatric patients.
- Responsibilities: These pharmacists are responsible for educating children and their families about medications and overall health and wellness. They play a crucial role in adjusting medications for the pediatric population.
- Required Education: A Board of Pharmacy Specialties certification in pediatric pharmacy is required, which necessitates at least four years of experience in the field, a PGY1 residency plus two additional years of practice, or a PGY2 residency in pediatric pharmacy.
Clinical Pharmacist
- Average Salary: $137,000 (Noodle.com) to $131,631 (Student Loan Planner)
- Job Description: Clinical pharmacists work in various healthcare settings, providing direct patient care and making medication-related decisions.
- Responsibilities: Their duties include collaborating with healthcare professionals to ensure optimal medication therapy and patient care.
- Required Education: A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, along with residency training in a clinical setting, is typically required.
Oncology Pharmacist
- Average Salary: $131,141
- Job Description: Oncology pharmacists are involved in medication therapy and care for cancer patients, managing both cancer and drug-related adverse effects.
- Responsibilities: They work closely with patients and healthcare teams to tailor medication therapies to individual needs.
- Required Education: Eligibility for BPS oncology pharmacy specialty certification requires four years of practice experience in oncology pharmacy domains, completion of a PGY1 residency and two additional years of practice, or a PGY2 residency in oncology pharmacy.
Consultant Pharmacist
- Average Salary: $129,964
- Job Description: Consultant pharmacists offer expert advice on pharmaceutical services, patient safety, and drug therapy management across various settings.
- Responsibilities: They provide specialized consultation to healthcare facilities and individual patients.
- Required Education: This role typically requires a PharmD degree, along with specialized knowledge and experience in the consulting domain.
Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
- Average Salary: $129,670
- Job Description: Ambulatory care pharmacists assist patients transitioning from hospital to home or other care facilities, focusing on medication management between healthcare provider visits.
- Responsibilities: Their primary role is to provide direct patient care in a non-hospital setting.
- Required Education: A certification in ambulatory care pharmacy from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties is required, necessitating four years of practice experience, a PGY1 residency plus an additional year of practice, or a PGY2 residency in ambulatory care pharmacy.
Clinical Pharmacologist
- Average Salary: $149,000
- Job Description: Clinical pharmacologists conduct research on the effects of substances on the body and diseases, contributing significantly to the development and testing of new pharmaceuticals.
- Responsibilities: Their work is crucial in the evaluation of new medications for safety and efficacy.
- Required Education: This role often requires advanced degrees in pharmacology or related fields, with a strong background in research methodologies.
Compounding Pharmacist
- Average Salary: $150,000
- Job Description: Compounding pharmacists create specialized medication forms to meet specific patient needs, including altering medications to remove allergens or adding flavors.
- Responsibilities: They play a critical role in personalized medicine, ensuring patients receive the most effective and palatable medication forms.
- Required Education: Advanced training in compounding is required, beyond the basic pharmacy curriculum.
Hospital Pharmacist
- Average Salary: $148,000
- Job Description: Hospital pharmacists are involved in the direct care of patients in various hospital settings, from emergency rooms to inpatient wards.
- Responsibilities: They ensure the safe and effective dispensation of medications to patients, collaborating closely with the healthcare team.
- Required Education: A PharmD degree and residency in a hospital setting are typically required for this role.
In-Store Pharmacist
- Average Salary: $156,000
- Job Description: In-store pharmacists work in retail settings, providing medication, health screenings, wellness advice, and vaccinations.
- Responsibilities: They are often the most accessible healthcare professionals for the general public, offering a wide range of health-related services.
- Required Education: A PharmD degree is required, along with licensure in the state of practice.
Pharmacometrician
- Average Salary: $142,000
- Job Description: Pharmacometricians oversee thedevelopment of new drugs, from conception through clinical trials and regulatory approval.
- Responsibilities: They are involved in all aspects of drug development, including design, testing, and regulatory compliance.
- Required Education: Typically requires a PhD in pharmacometrics, pharmacology, or a related field, along with extensive experience in drug development and clinical trials.
Final Thoughts
The field of pharmacy offers a diverse array of highly rewarding career paths, each with its unique challenges and opportunities. Whether you’re interested in direct patient care, research, or the development of new medications, there’s a place for you in pharmacy. The key to success in these high-paying roles is a solid educational foundation, specialized training, and a commitment to continual learning and professional development.
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Frank Gogol
I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.