Pharmacists mainly work in retail settings where they fill drug prescriptions for customers. They interact with a wide variety of people, and help customers understand proper dosage and use of pharmaceutical products, as well as any side effects. Pharmacists are in high demand and make excellent salaries, with the average in 2008 at around $101,000.Geography
- Most pharmacists work in independent or chain drugstores, or in department store pharmacies. About 25 percent work in hospital pharmacies, clinics, and mental health institutions. Median starting salary is around $81,000, with increases in pay to around $97,000 with five years experience. Those in the largest organizations tend to make more, around $105,000 on average, including hospitals and large retail chains. Small-town pharmacies generally pay lower, in the $80,000 range.
Function
- Pharmacists assist clients of many different age groups and backgrounds, some who do not speak English fluently. They need excellent communication skills and to be very well-organized, with strict attention to detail. Whether working in a small or large pharmacy, their days are busy. On any given workday, a pharmacist may help an elderly person understand a new blood pressure medication, discuss the proper medication schedule for a person who suddenly is required to take several cardiovascular drugs, explain the proper storage for insulin, and answer questions about over-the-counter items such as contact lens solutions. From small-town pharmacies to large department stores, pharmacists often assist at the general retail counter, where people pick up prescriptions and purchase other products at the same time.
Significance
- The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics sees an excellent job outlook for pharmacists through at least 2016, due to an increasing focus on preventive care and an aging population. Because of the high demand, pharmacists can choose virtually any location and type of work environment.
Benefits
- According to the USBLS, about 80 percent of pharmacists earned between $68,000 and $120,000 a year in 2006. Narrowing it down further, the middle 50 percent earned between $83,000 and $108,000. Most positions are full-time and include paid vacations and holidays, health insurance, and a 401(k) plan. Many half-time positions are available as well, paying significantly better than part-time work in other fields, with these pharmacists earning an average of about $56,000 annually and often having full-time benefits. Relief opportunities also are available, giving people flexibility if they only want to work at certain times of the year, or a week or two each month.
Potential
- In chain stores, a pharmacist can become a supervisor or manager at the individual store, then advance to the district, regional, or headquarters level, where they earn upwards of $100,000 a year. Chain stores often provide relocation packages. Those preferring to work in an independent store can become a store manager or owner. Further opportunities are available for pharmacists to work in clinical research, with salaries also typically in the $100,000 range.
Read more: Salary Range for Pharmacists | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4677306_salary-range-pharmacists.html#ixzz1go272cEW
