Video courtesy of AACP: American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

There is more to pharmacists than you think.  In addition to being at your community pharmacy, we are on the frontlines of every aspect of healthcare -- helping to ensure better outcomes for you and your family.  Pharmacists help people live healthier, better lives.  Pharmacy jobs play an important role in helping people get the best results from their medications.

Top reasons why pharmacy is a rewarding career:

An exciting career choice
Pharmacy combines science, health care, computer technology, business, math and counseling. Often, jobs in the sciences involve limited interaction with the public, but pharmacy offers a rare balance of independence and interaction with patients, which can be very appealing if you’re a “people person.” If you’re looking for adventure, you might be surprised to learn that pharmacy can be very exciting; there’s a place for pharmacists out on the front lines, offering services during natural disasters, epidemics, and other crises.

A trusted profession
Pharmacists are consistently ranked as some of the most highly trusted professionals because of the important care and health-related services they provide. If friends and/or family members frequently turn to you for advice, pharmacy may be a great field for you to explore.

Room to grow
There is a need for pharmacists in a wide variety of work settings: community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, the pharmaceutical industry, mail order pharmacy centers, managed care organizations, and government agencies (Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Public Health Service). What’s more, those with advanced pharmacy training can often move easily between these different areas. Pharmacy can offer many interesting opportunities over the course of your entire career.

Excellent earning potential and job security
Pharmacy is one of the most financially rewarding careers.  In 2016, over 90% of pharmacists report earning more than $100,000 per year.  Of those who reported an annual salary, 45.4% earned between $120,000 and $140,000 yearly. Pharmacists are consistently in demand, even in times of economic downturns, war, political reform and natural disasters, so there is a relatively high level of job security that comes with a career in pharmacy. Great pharmacists pursue continuing education opportunities not only because they are required to in order to maintain their licenses, but also because they are interested in new developments in the industry. In addition, they keep up with research journals and other relevant news.

 

Additional Resources

To learn more about pharmacy, visit the following websites:
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
Pharmacists for Healthier Lives