New Pharmacist Salaries - Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid

[morenife]

I have been searching online for how much the big pharma retailers are offering these days (2019) since it appears that rates are significantly different from last year. I have heard of new floaters and staff receiving $50/hr or less <32hr per week in Walgreens. I hear new PICs (Rx Manager) are being offered $55-60/hr for 32/42hr weeks in CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens. Is this true? Can you share what you know about the new rates for new pharmacists in your area? Thank you.

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[Twentytwelve2]

staff 67 rite-aid nor-cal

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

Floating 30 hours per week, $54/hr, rite aid in a mid/small city in the Northeast

 

[morenife]

Thanks. Was anyone of you able to negotiate the offers given? What helped you decide?
Which position appeals to you most and why - i.e. immediate new graduate pharmacy manager position, new staff member or new hourly floater? Thanks.

 

[projektreverb]

Thanks. Was anyone of you able to negotiate the offers given? What helped you decide?
Which position appeals to you most and why - i.e. immediate new graduate pharmacy manager position, new staff member or new hourly floater? Thanks.

Short answer is it’s non negotiable. I took a 58$/64 hour guaranteed position in the Midwest. Reality is I’m clearing closer to 75 hours based on the published schedule. I know CVS was offering 61$ per hour for new grads last year. That turned into 55$ In 2019. Same market.

 

[morenife]

Short answer is it’s non negotiable. I took a 58$/64 hour guaranteed position in the Midwest. Reality is I’m clearing closer to 75 hours based on the published schedule. I know CVS was offering 61$ per hour for new grads last year. That turned into 55$ In 2019. Same market.

Thank you, just wondering are you staff or floater?

 

[mentos]

staff 67 rite-aid nor-cal

Was your offer given in 2019? If so that's very impressive.

 

[projektreverb]

Was your offer given in 2019? If so that's very impressive.

I know someone who got 63$ in the Bay Area earlier this year. First actual pharmacist job.

 

[BenJammin]

Friend at an independent in Oklahoma just put out a job listing for a full time pharmacist who can do clinical services at $35/hr. Got 40 resumes in one day!

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

Thanks. Was anyone of you able to negotiate the offers given? What helped you decide?
Which position appeals to you most and why - i.e. immediate new graduate pharmacy manager position, new staff member or new hourly floater? Thanks.

I'd hard pressed to accept a manager position later and wouldn't consider it as a new grad unless that was my only option. I do want to move to staff just to have more hours guaranteed but I'm happy floating for now to get a good feel for what stores I'd like to be at more permanently.

 

[Dred Pirate]

Friend at an independent in Oklahoma just put out a job listing for a full time pharmacist who can do clinical services at $35/hr. Got 40 resumes in one day!

ouch - but doesn't surprise me - right now you are getting new grads that are completely desperate - or older RPh's who have a decent savings who just want to dump the corporate BS

 

[TerryTerry]

Friend at an independent in Oklahoma just put out a job listing for a full time pharmacist who can do clinical services at $35/hr. Got 40 resumes in one day!

New graduates with no job lined up will take any pharmacist job as long as it pays the bill. The older pharmacists are looking for job to get out of chains to keep their sanity. Tough world out there.

 

[morenife]

The saturation is really here. Just recently a new grad was offered $25 at an independent pharmacy with no benefits. How do they expect people to pay back 200k loans ‍♀️

 

[Saiyo]

The saturation is really here. Just recently a new grad was offered $25 at an independent pharmacy with no benefits. How do they expect people to pay back 200k loans ‍♀️

Yikes. While I believe the salary drops I have a hard time believing this. Who would take this??

 

[pharmacystudent1011]

Im getting $69/hour as PIC 5k a week volume retail East coast area.

 

[Twentytwelve2]

Was your offer given in 2019? If so that's very impressive.

Mine was staff at 67 in 2016. The new grad trained with me started at staff at 67 in 2019.

 

[morenife]

Yikes. While I believe the salary drops I have a hard time believing this. Who would take this??

I am shocked too! If this person wasn't a verified member in a group I'm part of, I'd never believe it.

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

I am shocked too! If this person wasn't a verified member in a group I'm part of, I'd never believe it.

... They didn't take it, right?

 

[tutam]

The saturation is really here. Just recently a new grad was offered $25 at an independent pharmacy with no benefits. How do they expect people to pay back 200k loans ‍♀

Which state did new grad that you mentioned accept $25/hr at an independent pharmacy? The market is getting so tough now

 

[Pharmacy is a Scam]

Which state did new grad that you mentioned accept $25/hr at an independent pharmacy? The market is getting so tough now

Idk, but I call and raise you to $21/hr.

 

[morenife]

Which state did new grad that you mentioned accept $25/hr at an independent pharmacy? The market is getting so tough now

They didn't accept. Yeah! It's tough.

 

[sozetone]

Friend at an independent in Oklahoma just put out a job listing for a full time pharmacist who can do clinical services at $35/hr. Got 40 resumes in one day!

Thats independant though ya know? they dont have the bucks to keep up with the big guys...... its always like that. still sad though.....

 

[sozetone]

Im getting $69/hour as PIC 5k a week volume retail East coast area.

thats about par for the course. When were you hired? i'm PIC at 70/hr. hired early 2017. although i should say , that WAS par for the coures..... i dunno today...prob 55-60 i would guess. 65 with exp?

 

[tutam]

Short answer is it’s non negotiable. I took a 58$/64 hour guaranteed position in the Midwest. Reality is I’m clearing closer to 75 hours based on the published schedule. I know CVS was offering 61$ per hour for new grads last year. That turned into 55$ In 2019. Same market.

I am just wondering how come it dropped fast from $61 down to $55 in 1 year? Union policy change?

 

[mentos]

I am just wondering how come it dropped fast from $61 down to $55 in 1 year? Union policy change?

The market is correcting itself.

 

[projektreverb]

I am just wondering how come it dropped fast from $61 down to $55 in 1 year? Union policy change?

Free market: because they can.

 

[sozetone]

wait until the next drop, i predict 40-45/hr. within 1-2 years.

 

[quickpic007]

wait until the next drop, i predict 40-45/hr. within 1-2 years.

That will be awful! Isn't that was waiters make in expensive places like Los Angeles?

 

[sozetone]

That will be awful! Isn't that was waiters make in expensive places like Los Angeles?

I dont think its going to be out of the realm of reason. The more a company can exploit an over-saturation, the more they will! So if every year we graduate ~15,000 students and only need ~4000, they will drop salaries again. By 2025 can you imagine how many pharmacists will be banging on doors to work? And remember, this has been going on for a long time now! there are so many pharmacists out there, there is simply no place for ALL of them....and soon ALL is going to be MOST ........thats when the stuff hits the fan.

 

[Pharmacy Kid]

Idk, but I call and raise you to $21/hr.

Anyone feel like applying and stringing the company along. I might send a fake resume to get a phone interview. Then if I get accepted to an in-person interview I wouldn't show up. Or maybe hire some guy on craiglist to show up and totally bomb the interview.

 

[King2440]

These “new” graduates are HORRIBLE. No social skills at all. So 15,000 grads when probably 10,000 of them suck. Companies will find out sooner or later that they can’t depend on these folks to run their business efficiently and effectively.

 

[Pharmacy is a Scam]

These “new” graduates are HORRIBLE. No social skills at all. So 15,000 grads when probably 10,000 of them suck. Companies will find out sooner or later that they can’t depend on these folks to run their business efficiently and effectively.

You don’t need social skills when the future of retail pharmacy is telepharmacy via kiosks (for those those are lucky enough to still be employed). Techs can provide all that customer service stuff while kiosk pharmacists can focus on their “clinical” duties such as providing 100 consultations/hour.

 

[King2440]

You don’t need social skills when the future of retail pharmacy is telepharmacy via kiosks (for those those are lucky enough to still be employed). Techs can provide all that customer service stuff while kiosk pharmacists can focus on their “clinical” duties such as providing 100 consultations/hour.

Buddy, consultations require social skills. Great social skills actually, if you are going to provide 100/hour.

 

[Pharmacy is a Scam]

Buddy, consultations require social skills. Great social skills actually, if you are going to provide 100/hour.

Not really dude. Have you ever worked in an MTM call center? Ain’t nobody in the mindset to exchange pleasantries or dawdle with their conversations when you got to hit those metrics. If anything, you’ll learn real quick how to cut people off or redirect the conversation. Plus, the intro and farewell are all scripted. Just need a warm body to actually have the conversation with the patient.

 

[uc3]

Northeast city -$59 FT float 72hr. With much opportunity to pick up hours.

 

[sozetone]

Buddy, consultations require social skills. Great social skills actually, if you are going to provide 100/hour.

Scam and king , i like ya both, but im siding with king on this one. You cannot remove the HUMAN element entirely from medicine........it must always remain. And he's 100% right about these youger grads. I see it, my pals see it.....it's like a plague. They will not have the skillset to manage for sure as they can barely keep the pharamcy afloat just staffing. And, It is an issue of psychological under-development due to the social media life style. There is very little human interaction for these kids growing up. They don't develop emotionally like we did man.... they dont learn first hand how to expereince love, hugs, friendships, but also hardships of pain and suffering. They lack "coping skills"....

Remember when you used to bike to your friends house like 10 miles away and then go do crazy stuff and have a ball? AND we did it without 30 refelctors on our bike, no helmets, elbow pads, knee pads or any safety gear for that matter......these poor kids today never get out, and if they do you have to strap them into a bike with 1000 safety devices...LMAO....youn gotta learn how to get banged up in life and get back on your bike. it builds character.

 

[Pharmacy is a Scam]

Scam and king , i like ya both, but im siding with king on this one. You cannot remove the HUMAN element entirely from medicine........it must always remain. And he's 100% right about these youger grads. I see it, my pals see it.....it's like a plague. They will not have the skillset to manage for sure as they can barely keep the pharamcy afloat just staffing. And, It is an issue of psychological under-development due to the social media life style. There is very little human interaction for these kids growing up. They don't develop emotionally like we did man.... they dont learn first hand how to expereince love, hugs, friendships, but also hardships of pain and suffering. They lack "coping skills"....

Remember when you used to bike to your friends house like 10 miles away and then go do crazy stuff and have a ball? AND we did it without 30 refelctors on our bike, no helmets, elbow pads, knee pads or any safety gear for that matter......these poor kids today never get out, and if they do you have to strap them into a bike with 1000 safety devices...LMAO....youn gotta learn how to get banged up in life and get back on your bike. it builds character.

Yeah kids don’t go outside and play in the parks with other kids these days. Instead, they “play” with other kids by becoming Twitch streamers or Youtube artists where they are used to talking to a computer screen with no real in-person connection to their audiences. Do you not think this skill translates to being a telepharmacist?

Edit: Also, we are discussing social skills specific to consultations here. I agree with you 100% about the lack of social skills to manage, but if you’re a telepharmacist in a box then managing a pharmacy is definitely not on your list of accountabilities.

 

[BidingMyTime]

Thats independant though ya know? they dont have the bucks to keep up with the big guys...... its always like that. still sad though.....

And according to Sparda, an independent pharmacist can watch Netflix on his phone 75% of the day, so that is a huge benefit!

I am just wondering how come it dropped fast from $61 down to $55 in 1 year? Union policy change?

Vast majority of pharmacists do not belong to a union. That is the market responding to over saturation.

 

[sozetone]

Yeah kids don’t go outside and play in the parks with other kids these days. Instead, they “play” with other kids by becoming Twitch streamers or Youtube artists where they are used to talking to a computer screen with no real in-person connection to their audiences. Do you not think this skill translates to being a telepharmacist?

Edit: Also, we are discussing social skills specific to consultations here. I agree with you 100% about the lack of social skills to manage, but if you’re a telepharmacist in a box then managing a pharmacy is definitely not on your list of accountabilities.

Well, talking to a computer screen is one thing, but having to answer another human beings very personal questions about health, wellness....etc. is another. They may not be able to respond appropriately. only time will tell.

 

[sozetone]

"coping skills" man.... i've heard from my pals in florida some of these kids walking off the job. One guy went outside and sat on the curb on broward blvd, lauderdale, put his hands over his face for a bit.... quit a week later....lol he said " your store is so hard" .... all that money, time, education and that is the result? man thats bad.....

 

[sozetone]

Pharmacist salary across most common work settings

Pharmacists that work at general merchandise stores have the highest average salary per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

www.beckershospitalreview.com

where are they getting these numbers from.....? lol

 

[SevenPharmacyCalls]

wait until the next drop, i predict 40-45/hr. within 1-2 years.

Wags just cut my area to $48, cvs cut from $60 to $55

 

[projektreverb]

Wags just cut my area to $48, cvs cut from $60 to $55

Wait 48$? Do you mean 58$?

 

[CarbmonstaRX]

Wait 48$? Do you mean 58$?

i think it is $58 because i have seen new grads starting at $58 this year. Area over the new grads got started with $59.

 

[mentos]

That will be awful! Isn't that was waiters make in expensive places like Los Angeles?

Possibly but those are the top tier in the profession. The average waiter makes much less. Plus they don't get all the benefits like vacation time, sick time, health/dental/vision, 401k, etc.

 

[sozetone]

Their not gonna stop until we are PRN, no benefits, just a waste of time job.

 

[sozetone]

Wags just cut my area to $48, cvs cut from $60 to $55

Wm is down to 50$ or less for staff's .... i dunno about managers though. They started me as PIC, at 70$ in early 2017 before the cuts, so i assume my head is on the chopping block. I bet 60-65 is the manager rate now. With much less PTO than the 180 hours they gave me from day 1. and it's going to go over 200 assuming i'm not let go or performanced out by next year.....

 

[morenife]

Just got some numbers from some new grads in Midwest $51 staff/float WAG, $60 for PIC CVS.

 

[Pharmacy is a Scam]

Just got some numbers from some new grads in Midwest $51 staff/float WAG, $60 for PIC CVS.

How many hours?

 

[Rybko90]

These numbers... They ain't looking so good I wonder what the bottom will be... if there will be a bottom.
Wonder if down the line I'll be on the chopping block for having graduated last year