Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
Pharmacy prepares pharmacists who dispense medications, check prescriptions for safety, advise patients and work with doctors on drug therapy. The U.S. entry degree is the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), followed by licensing exams.
Where Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) can lead
A field of study is not one job. These are the occupations BLS tracks for this pathway, with median annual pay (May 2025) and projected change in employment (2025–35); total U.S. employment is projected to grow 3.5%.
| Occupation | Median pay | Outlook | Openings / year | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacists | $140,910 | +5% Faster than average |
12,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Pharm.D. programs admit students after prerequisite college coursework or, in some 6-year programs, straight from high school.
Median: half of workers earned more, half earned less. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, checked 2026-10-07.
Key numbers to know
What pharmacists earn
Pay varies widely with experience, employer and location. BLS figures for May 2025.
Often new graduates
Half earned more, half less
Often senior or specialized roles
Median pay by industry
| Industry | Share of jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacies and drug retailers | 37% | $132,940 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 32% | $157,290 |
| General merchandise retailers | 6% | $151,370 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 6% | $153,920 |
Source: BLS, pharmacists (pay and work environment tabs).
What the work is really like
From O*NET, which surveys people working in the job. Most work full time; in 24-hour hospitals and facilities pharmacists may work nights, weekends and holidays, and they spend much of the day standing.
Common tasks
- Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
- Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
- 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.
What workers report
| Share of workers who… | Share |
|---|---|
| Say being exact is extremely important | |
| Work a typical 40-hour week | |
| Say the consequence of an error is extremely serious | |
| Face time pressure every day |
Technology used on the job
Interests that fit this work (Holland codes): Investigative, Social, Conventional. Source: O*NET OnLine, 29-1051.00, checked 2026-10-07.
How to get there, step by step
A typical route. Many people reach the same job in different ways.
- Step 1
Chemistry first
Chemistry, biology and math.
- Step 2
Prerequisites
Usually at least 2 years of prerequisite courses; the PCAT is no longer used.
- Step 3
Doctor of Pharmacy
Usually 4 years; some 3-year options and 6-year direct-entry programs.
- Step 4
NAPLEX + MPJE
National practice exam plus a state law exam (or Uniform MPJE).
- Goal
State license
Optional 1- to 2-year residency for clinical roles.
High school preparation
- Chemistry and biology (AP where offered)
- Math through calculus or statistics
- Customer-facing work — pharmacists talk to patients all day
Course suggestions are Margdarshan's guidance; what you can take depends on your school. See the high school guide for GPA, AP and dual enrollment.
Degrees and what you study
A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and a state license. Pharm.D. programs usually take 4 years after prerequisite coursework; some 6-year programs admit high school graduates.
Education workers say their job requires (O*NET)
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | |
| Bachelor's degree | |
| Post-doctoral training |
Costs and aid: see College & Money. Important qualities BLS lists for pharmacists: analytical skills, communication skills, compassion, detail oriented, interpersonal skills, managerial skills.
Pharmacist license
Granted by state boards of pharmacy. Each state board of pharmacy sets licensure and transfer rules; most states also require certification to give vaccinations (BLS).
Why demand is changing
BLS expects more demand in hospitals and clinics as pharmacists join healthcare teams beyond dispensing, but limited demand in retail as the industry consolidates and more prescriptions are filled online or by mail.
Faster than average
Pharmacists
Average over the decade, including replacements
Studying from outside the U.S.? Education and immigration are separate pathways — see the international student guide.
Advice for getting in
Margdarshan's guidance, based on the data above.
- Look at where growth is: BLS expects more demand in hospitals and clinics and limited demand in retail as prescriptions move online and by mail.
- A residency helps for clinical hospital roles; hospital pharmacists had a higher median ($157,290) than pharmacy-retail ones ($132,940) in May 2025.
- Be ready for precision under pressure — 89% of pharmacists told O*NET that being exact is extremely important.
Frequently asked questions
Related career pathways
Where these facts come from
Official sources only, checked on the dates shown.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Pharmacists checked 2026-10-07
- O*NET OnLine: 29-1051.00 · U.S. Department of Labor checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates via the BLS Public Data API checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Outlook Handbook · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics checked 2026-10-07
- NABP Pharmacy Exams (NAPLEX, MPJE) · National Association of Boards of Pharmacy checked 2026-10-07
- Pharmacy College Admission Test (retired) · American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy checked 2026-10-07