Highest pay for a pharmacist?

[Chakshu]

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Having heard about how recent graduates and experienced ones make around 100k, I was wondering what was the highest pay you guys have heard of/make just out of curiosity? Hopefully no will bash me for asking this question.

 

[ZpackSux]

Having heard about how recent graduates and experienced ones make around 100k, I was wondering what was the highest pay you guys have heard of/make just out of curiosity? Hopefully no will bash me for asking this question.

My previous DOP position now pays $150,000 per year + bonus. Of course I wasn't making that 3 years ago.

Some of my counterparts (DOP) at larger hospitals (700 bed hospital) are at $160,000 per year.

The 2 big hospitals in my area (over 1000 beds), the DOPs make $180,000 per year.

The regional Director of Pharmacy for a company I worked for are at $150,000 base + 40% bonus. The VP of Pharmacy was is at $180,000 + 60% bonus.

Then there are local pharmacy owners at $300,000 +

Look at the owners of Walgreen, CVS, etc..and see how much those pharmacists make.

 

[Chakshu]

Thank you very much for such an elaborate response. Much appreciated 🙂 May I ask what position you work at b/c pharmacists in hospitals usually make a lot less?

 

[josh6718]

Thank you very much for such an elaborate response. Much appreciated 🙂 May I ask what position you work at b/c pharmacists in hospitals usually make a lot less?

He just said he worked as DOP- Director of Pharmacy.

 

[EnglishMedic]

Wow, thats a lot of money. In the Uk pharmacists don't make anyway near as much, especially in a hospital. £30,000/yr ($50,000) if you're lucky.

Could someone clarify for me please, in a large hospital in the USA is it possible to make $150,000 as a regular pharmacist? I find that an amazing amount of money!

 

[savvysearch]

These are very high, but I bet they are also very rare. I'm guessing most of us will be making 70-80K.

 

[ZpackSux]

These are very high, but I bet they are also very rare. I'm guessing most of us will be making 70-80K.

My lowest paid pharmacist makes $91,520 per year base... at a hospital.

 

[ZpackSux]

Wow, thats a lot of money. In the Uk pharmacists don't make anyway near as much, especially in a hospital. £30,000/yr ($50,000) if you're lucky.

Could someone clarify for me please, in a large hospital in the USA is it possible to make $150,000 as a regular pharmacist? I find that an amazing amount of money!

Regular hospital pharmacist in my area make $85,000 to $110,000 per year.

 

[ZpackSux]

These are very high, but I bet they are also very rare. I'm guessing most of us will be making 70-80K.

I wouldn't quite call it rare. For every hospital, there is one Director of Pharmacy. Small hospital DOP will probably make $105,000 to $120,000.

Medium hospital DOP will make $110,000 to $130,000...

And large hospital DOP.. as I said before.

 

[Gauden44]

Soooo how does one go about becoming a Director of Pharmacy? 😀
Just work as a pharmacist then move up when given the opportunity?

 

[ZpackSux]

Soooo how does one go about becoming a Director of Pharmacy? 😀
Just work as a pharmacist then move up when given the opportunity?

sleep with the right people.

 

[Gauden44]

Haha no but really, do you have some background in business?

 

[ForcedEntry]

Haha no but really, do you have some background in business?

prostitution helps

 

[Phantom_Eclipse]

sleep with the right people.

Is that an invitation? lol

 

[ForcedEntry]

Is that an invitation? lol

The police refer to it as solicitation

 

[Aznfarmerboi]

These are very high, but I bet they are also very rare. I'm guessing most of us will be making 70-80K.

I think the average starting is at least 90k now with a lot of us making 100k+. I know that my pharmacists are getting 100k with about a 4-5 percent annual raise every year.

 

[thaliagoo]

I believe that directors at hospitals usually require a year or two of residency after graduation. Anyhow, it's a job with a lot of responsibility that should be carefully considered.

 

[EnglishMedic]

I am amazed by the salary pharmacists get in the states! 100k starting salary is staggering! I bet you can live a very comfortable life with that money.

Factoring in tax etc, what would be the average take home per month on a salary of 100k?

 

[dgroulx]

I am amazed by the salary pharmacists get in the states! 100k starting salary is staggering! I bet you can live a very comfortable life with that money.

Factoring in tax etc, what would be the average take home per month on a salary of 100k?

After social security tax, medicare tax, income tax, it would be about $6,500 per month. But, you need to take out 401k payments and health insurance which will leave you with about $5,000. That's not a lot of money to live on.

 

[EnglishMedic]

But, you need to take out 401k payments and health insurance which will leave you with about $5,000

Thanks for your response 🙂 whats 401k payments?

 

[oakland_raiders]

I am amazed by the salary pharmacists get in the states! 100k starting salary is staggering! I bet you can live a very comfortable life with that money.

Factoring in tax etc, what would be the average take home per month on a salary of 100k?

How much paid vacation do you get in england? It is usually 2-3 weeks in the states.

 

[pinkyrx]

Thanks for your response 🙂 whats 401k payments?

It's a common method for saving for retirement. Usually companies here match a certain % of dollars that you put towards the 401K. (around 1-3% I think)

 

[ZpackSux]

Haha no but really, do you have some background in business?

Yes, I've been a business owner since 1993 and a pharmacist since 1995.

I've had some mundane businesses that I started and sold, mostly non-pharmacy related retail business (not MLM). Now I own a DME company with 3 offices and a warehouse, working on the second warehouse along with a wholesale venue.

DME = Durable Medical Equipment

And because I am a salaried pharmacist with flexibility, I can work as a DOP and still run my DME utilizing my employees.

Even though my practical business experience helps me operate the Pharmacy, it was my clinical experience and financial savvy which allowed me to become a DOP. Then again, some hospitals are so desperate, they just want a warm body in the seat of a DOP.

 

[ZpackSux]

Is that an invitation? lol

no..... 😎

 

[ZpackSux]

The police refer to it as solicitation

Wow... he's Bruce Dickinson...

 

[EnglishMedic]

How much paid vacation do you get in england? It is usually 2-3 weeks in the states.

All companies regardless of whether a job is well paid or not, tend to give at least 4 weeks. Certainly, no less than this.

The national health service about 5 weeks or so and private companies anything up to about 6 weeks.

Sick pay also tends to be unlimited, within reason of course. I had to have 2 weeks off work last year and that was fully paid.

 

[EnglishMedic]

It's a common method for saving for retirement. Usually companies here match a certain % of dollars that you put towards the 401K. (around 1-3% I think)

So, is that the same as a pension fund? I paid 6% of my salary towards a pension fund when I was working, my employer met this with an equal contribution.

 

[EnglishMedic]

All companies regardless of whether a job is well paid or not, tend to give at least 4 weeks. Certainly, no less than this.

The national health service about 5 weeks or so and private companies anything up to about 6 weeks.

Sick pay also tends to be unlimited, within reason of course. I had to have 2 weeks off work last year and that was fully paid.

You have to remember the UK is a 'nanny' state. We have free health care at the point of delivery to anyone and everyone and give generous benefits to those who can't work (or can't be bothered to work).

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Durable Medical Equipment

No way in heck I would open a healthcare related business. I get too much of it at my real job. That would drive me kookoo. I'd open a restaurant or something.

 

[ZpackSux]

No way in heck I would open a healthcare related business. I get too much of it at my real job. That would drive me kookoo. I'd open a restaurant or something.

Good, less competition for me.

You go right ahead and open a restaurant...

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Good, less competition for me.

You go right ahead and open a restaurant...

I'll promise to buy my crutches, bedpans, and walkers from your DME store if you come eat at my restaurant regularly. I got a gourmet chef in my married family that is unemployed and would work for cheap, too. Are there any fusion Jewish-Asian restraunts in town? (I know that sounds crazy..)

Morgantown would be a good place for one of those. The fastest growing town in the Northeast and there is only one other shop like that in town. I get people all the time wondering if my Kroger in Sabraton carries, like, toilet seats (or some other random thing) for old people just because they don't feel like driving all the way over to the other side of town to buy stuff from Mon Health in Suncrest.

 

[ZpackSux]

I'll promise to buy my crutches, bedpans, and walkers from your DME store if you come eat at my restaurant regularly. I got a gourmet chef in my married family that is unemployed and would work for cheap, too. Are there any fusion Jewish-Asian restraunts in town? (I know that sounds crazy..)

Morgantown would be a good place for one of those. The fastest growing town in the Northeast and there is only one other shop like that in town. I get people all the time wondering if my Kroger in Sabraton carries, like, toilet seats (or some other random thing) for old people just because they don't feel like driving all the way over to the other side of town to buy stuff from Mon Health in Suncrest.

Dood,

That's not the kind of DME business I own. The business comprise of Oxygen Co, Medical Nutrtion, and Pharmacy. So I employ respiratory therapists, pharmacists, dieticians, billers, delivery drivers, and customer service reps. I don't have a store front, rather offices, warehouse, and delivery vehicles.

I'm sure we can find a fusion Jewish-Asian cuisine...

 

[RachGator]

[I'm sure we can find a fusion Jewish-Asian cuisine...[/QUOTE]
Matzo-Wontons sound really good right now. Yummy 😀 .

 

[dgroulx]

[I'm sure we can find a fusion Jewish-Asian cuisine...

Matzo-Wontons sound really good right now. Yummy 😀 .[/QUOTE]

You should know that Jewish Wontons are called Kreplach.

Wiki:
Kreplach are small noodles or dumplings filled with ground meat, usually boiled and served in chicken soup. They are similar to Italian ravioli or often referred to as a Jewish wonton (a Jewish version of the Chinese wonton). Kreplach are a traditional Jewish dish often served on the day before Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) or on Hoshana Rabbah (the 7th day of the Festival of Booths) or on Purim (the Feast of Lots).

 

[WVUPharm2007]

General Tso's Beef Brisket.

 

[julia403]

From what my friends (who just graduated from pharmacy school this past may) told me, all of the larger cities in Texas (Dallas, Houston, Austin) offered them between $100k to $110k/yr starting salaries in retail. I have a friend who accepted a job in Brownsville (in the valley) for $124k/yr starting. Here in TX it seems that the highest retail salaries are offered in the smaller cities where the demand for pharmacists is higher bc not many people want to live there (i.e. El Paso & the valley).

 

[jacketwrestler]

how much do pharmacists make working for a registry (aka agency)? I know right now for Respiratory Therapists in southern california are making about 475 per 12 hour shift, which is about 1.5x the average salary for an R.T. If registry pharmacists were making 1.5x the average salary for a normal pharmacists.. that would be about 75/hour? So about 850 per 12 hour shift? If so.. that's alot of money.. of course no benefits though.

 

[jacketwrestler]

850 per 12 hour shift for relief pharmacists.. is my assumption correct?

 

[ZpackSux]

850 per 12 hour shift for relief pharmacists.. is my assumption correct?

In northern Cal, they were paying $70 to $90 per hour..

but why would you want to travel, live out of motels, learn new system and put up with inconsistent schedule.

 

[jacketwrestler]

because I'm an adrenaline junkie


I know for RT's and RN's there's such a shortage that you can request to work in a specific area.. like a county or area code, so you won't have to travel too far from home. I'm not sure what it's like with pharmacists though. I actually know an RT who goes to the same 3 or so hospitals all the time, so he's like one of the regulars there except he gets paid almost twice as more.

 

[ZpackSux]

because I'm an adrenaline junkie


I know for RT's and RN's there's such a shortage that you can request to work in a specific area.. like a county or area code, so you won't have to travel too far from home. I'm not sure what it's like with pharmacists though. I actually know an RT who goes to the same 3 or so hospitals all the time, so he's like one of the regulars there except he gets paid almost twice as more.

Being an epinephrine junkie doesn't help a pharmacist....unless you get excited over full contact pharmacy order processing.

 

[jacketwrestler]

What about the thrill of not knowing how to use particular software while 5 senior citizens are waiting in line complaining about slow service? Doesn't get more exciting than that.