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Pharmacists

General Information

Description

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.

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Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit70.27%
  2. Private, not for profit18.09%
  3. State and local government3.94%
  4. Federal government3.80%
  5. Self-employed3.73%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Health Science

Job Outlook

Employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 2 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations. Despitelimitedemployment growth, about 13,600 openings for pharmacists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$128,570

Military salary*

$63,704

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$155,930
$100,730
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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Doctoral degree 78%
  • Bachelor's degree 11%
  • Post-doctoral training 5%
  • First professional degree 3%
  • High school 1%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Related College Majors

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Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Chemistry
  • Psychology
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Mathematics

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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