New Pharmacist Salaries - Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid

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Pharmacy is a Scam said:
Idk, but I call and raise you to $21/hr.
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lol I'm paying two of my techs $21 an hour right now... gawd dayme.
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Hels2007 said:
It's pretty sad that 90K is considered a pretty good offer in 2020...
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it is 54 an hour - not great, but not horrible- the 32 hours a week is what sucks for those that want "full time work"

that being said, I would be pissed as hell to go down to 90k a year - so I guess I am hypocritical
 
Got recent offer for big chain Florida 30 hrs $80k compared to my offer in Midwest from different chain awhile ago for 32 hrs $90k
 
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2020graducandoit said:
Got recent offer for big chain Florida 30 hrs $80k compared to my offer in Midwest from different chain awhile ago for 32 hrs $90k
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Midwest has always been higher by at least $10/hr more. I was shocked when I moved here from the east. Now I’m not to certain. Salary’s are real low everywhere. From speaking with PICs and staff I know it’s already 78 to 80k here due to low 50s or high 40s per hour salaries and limited hours. Like for staff no more than 30 I think. Not sure why you would go to school for pharmacy lol. Student next to me in a computer class said, after I mentioned I was getting out of the field “ Yeah, I have some friends in pharmacy. Techs make like $15 an hour and to be a pharmacist I think you have to go to school and get a doctorate, and why would you do that?” Lmfao, I didn’t say anything. Lol
 
mentos said:
Where do your friends work 4 days a week? "Working from home" sounds awesome.
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I work 4 days a week, 10 hour shifts (well also one half day every other saturday). I'm glad I dont have to work 8hrs or shorter shifts, and I dont think I could regularly do 12hrs like a lot of my friends do at some of the other chains. I usually just take Wednesdays off to break up the week, or Fridays sometimes if I want a long weekend.
 
PharmD2019Graduate said:
######No matter what state you are in Except CA because it is higher in CA....all other states to be offered $58 to 68$ depends on favorable/unfavorable towns as STAFF/FLOATER that means they like you and willing to give you what they are allowed. For PICs $70 or above otherwise they are trying to fill the manager positions but they already know you will not do a good a job and will be let go or quitting in a year or less.
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I can't speak for other regions but for the southeast, no one is getting $58-68 starting salary … FL and GA offer $52-56 last time I checked for staffing in retail. If you check independent pharmacies, they are offering upper 30s-40s lol.
 
PharmD2019Graduate said:
READ the below post and please if numbers are far from this do not believe it. people do not want you to apply in their areas to keep competition out or the posting party is a hiring manager who wants to offer ppl lower to get more bonus so he is preparing you psychologically to accept a low offer. I am writing this comprehensive pay data facts to clear everything out because I am not sure why some of the posts are full of darkness, misleading info, and a very low unrealistic salaries: so ppl saying a PIC in midwest (what that suppose to mean, big difference state to state) is $60 For CVS which is totally a big NO and fake in my opinion and will tell you why.

I was on a business management rotation at one of the BIGGEST chains, I attended interviews with my preceptor (September 2019) and have seen them offering/hiring with the exact below numbers. Everyone one on the list is USA PHARMD graduate, no foreign degrees. (Mostly Class 2019)---I will list many states so pay attention, the info is trusted and even confirmed from close friends/mentors District managers in the three big retail chains:

(((((((NEW YORK))))))))
1- NYC CVS new grad Staff/Floater $59-$60 (my classmate HE got hired as floater started $60 then after one year a PIC $70, Upper Manhatten Area)
as a PIC you are guaranteed 40 hours, I even think 42 hours but not sure about the 42, as a floater he used to make over 50 hours a week most of the weeks. (Race: Brown perfect English accent) (This one class of 2018)

2- NYC CVS Brooklyn Floater $59.75 then to staff same pay within 6 months (SHE was offered a guaranteed 32 hours but ALWAYS had 40 or more unless she does not want to get the shifts) (Race: White middle eastern origin, Perfect English accent)

3- NYC CVS Bronx Staff $59.25 hours a week on a high volume ****ty store no one wants but so what! (Race: Asian HE has a strong accent that you would not understand most of the time, he is a very hard worker the PIC she was Asian too and no it is not an area that has Asian patients population, generally Russians and Black population)

4- NYC CVS Queens Staff pharmacist $59.25 (Race: He is Russian decent, medium accent clear English) not experienced and not a great leader either.

5- NYC CVS Floater $60 Lower Manhatten/middle Manhatten few around times square and about 20 mins far down (White American female and another Brown female with a perfect accent)

6- NY Long Island $59 staff (Brown slight accent, almost perfect English)

7- NY Brooklyn RITE-AID $54.25/$56.25, Staff/Floater (Female white, middle eastern 2 years part-time tech experience with rite aid)

(hint: they need ppl in many places but EASY hire on high demand areas that no one like to work in such as the BRONX in NYC, however as far as I know no pay difference even tough they need ppl in the Bronx, you will be paid same as Brooklyn) (pay difference will be about $5 more than this state standard pay if you go to a city that is far or middle of nowhere in big states/south/far north)

(((((NEW JERSEY))))))
8- NEW JERSEY CVS new grad staff/floater higher is a standard $58.25
9- New Jersey Walgreens (SOUTH jersey) new Grad 2019 offered and accepted $51.95 staff (south jersey slow store, he had no experience, Brown strong accent, Not the typical DM favorite kind of pharmacist) Others I know personally (Asians, White, Brown, medium to perfect accents are staff/floaters with Walgreens in North Jersey and offered $54/hr to $56/hr.

((((((Pennsylvania)))))))
10 - Pennsylvania, they NEED pharmacists (Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens) ALL of them are dying to hire staff/floaters/managers Pay about (56-60) depends it is a small ****ty town no one wants will pay you more (or at least you know that they would if you ask them)

(((((( INDIANA )))))
They are dying for pharmacists pay in about $2-$5 lower than NJ and sometimes it is the same as NJ or more in some of the middle of nowhere towns. The pay offer you get depends on many things, straight forward DM would give you the max for that position that is offered by the regional managers. Other DM who wants to kiss ass to regional managers would only offer the max allowed to (white or other race with perfect accent// and give Browns or Africans with strong accents a low offer. (this is not disclosed officially of course but that is how it works except for few here and there good honest DMs

(((((((( California )))))))
ALL chains are Dayingggg to hire staff/floaters/managers ( Friends accepted offers CVS as staff ($69, Fresno, San Deigo), Floater ($66 to $73) depends on how much they liked you (so let us say they need to hire 1 and interviewed you and another one, and you are ok but have a strong accent or maybe the DM is not in love with you, they will send you a letter to offer $64 for example as a floater then if you accept it then you saved them to pay the perfect applicant a $73/hr but if you refused then they will just take that other better guy for $73. and do not think they were about to leave the better applicant to go away from their hands, they will offer him/she $73 or even $77 to be a floater in a more needy area in CA. in general PIC in CA for CVS is 75 to 88 depends on how much they like you and how much they need a manager in that location/living cost in that location, etc.


((((((TEXAS)))))
Cities that are away from everything middle of nowhere either north or especially south near the Mexican borders are very high pay relative to the rest of the state (Floaters/Staff in remote not favorable town $63-$68 range in Both CVS and Walgreens)(normal favorable areas $54-$58)
PICs(Remote/unfavorable $75-$78 range)PICs(favorable area $65-$70 range)

(((((Arizona))))
Same as texas and remote cities Tuscan/Yuma desert middle of nowhere same Idea Staff/Floaters $68-$73 and PICs $75-$82


####Hints:::::::::::: You are looking for hospital staff pharmacists that are easy to get in? or even sometimes clinical pharmacists without residency? Look in the far small cities away from the most desirable areas, they always need ppl at least part-time or overnight shifts, which will help you to get the experience and maybe a long term job to leave the retail. Examples: Think South Jersey and not north jersey as it is desirable and close from NY. Think middle of nowhere towns in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Indiana, Pennsylvania. Think farmers/ farms/ boring areas. Think of boring states in general, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kentucky! Those areas and boring states are also easier to get into a grocery store positions if any is available and you are lucky enough that no one applied or maybe only other very bad applicants/worse than you somehow are applying.

$$$$$IN GENERAL, no matter where you are: Minimum pay/offers is about $53 (that means you are a person of color/black/brown or a person of strong accent or White/perfect accent that the DM really does not like you and just trying to fit the need for 6 months then they will let you go (easily they can find a way to write you up then fire you or nicely be told to resign to avoid being fired) that is what advantage for the metrics in all big chains for the DM of course because he/she can write you up for hundreds of reasons, and get another favorable person once a new wave of grads or applicants come to interview

######No matter what state you are in Except CA because it is higher in CA....all other states to be offered $58 to 68$ depends on favorable/unfavorable towns as STAFF/FLOATER that means they like you and willing to give you what they are allowed. For PICs $70 or above otherwise they are trying to fill the manager positions but they already know you will not do a good a job and will be let go or quitting in a year or less.

+++++CA my personal advice and after asking a close DM (he is not in CA but he knows the rates) He said in CA, I would be an idiot even as a new grad to accept Staff/Floater less than $73 or accept PICs less than $84. they are willing/allowed/budgeted to pay this ore more in CA but they try to pay less so the DM/regional managers get a bonus and things like that. Note: the DM is in CVS in NYC and He was also DM in Rite Aid in NYC and he said these rates apply for CVS however Walgreens is the same or only $2 less in most cases.

IMPORTANT:________People who can't find jobs are not willing to drive 40 to 60 miles and usually, they are in the highly saturated area(which is most big cities now), or they want to find a pharmacist job in their small to medium town and not seriously considering to relocate. I understand relocation is not an option for everyone but NOO pharmacist that considered relocation and have a lic in his state and one more border state can easily find a job within a 2 to 4 months period.

I hope this helps someone and makes them cheer up and see the facts as clear as they are. Not too pinky and cute but it is far from a sad or dark future.
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I'm trying to find a hospital staffing position and have been searching for and applying to jobs in various states (not yet licensed, though). The only issue with simply applying to jobs in multiple states is the fact that most DOPs want candidates to already be licensed in the state their facility is located in, so it becomes something of a gamble as to whether or not it's worth spending the time/effort/money to get licensed in a particular state just to be eligible to apply to jobs in that state.
 
Consider higher-population states and where would you actually "want" to live
 
Hedgehog32 said:
I'm trying to find a hospital staffing position and have been searching for and applying to jobs in various states (not yet licensed, though). The only issue with simply applying to jobs in multiple states is the fact that most DOPs want candidates to already be licensed in the state their facility is located in, so it becomes something of a gamble as to whether or not it's worth spending the time/effort/money to get licensed in a particular state just to be eligible to apply to jobs in that state.
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Do not worry it is never a gamble to get a lic in more than one state. after you get your lic even if you have 6 months experience anywhere as even as a retail chain or independent you can start applying for night shifts/remote towns easier to get in as a start or big cities temporary few weeks hospital positions and go with the attitude that you will do a great job even if they will never make you permanent which is most likely but you will get recommendation letters/references be super nice to everyone but not an obvious kiss ass type of employee because it will be obvious it is fake. Plentyyyy of positions in hospitals no matter what is your state is. but do not give up after 2 months trying! you need to get any retail job then take your time 6 months is plenty of time, you will get a job at least PT/night staff in a hospital. just be patient and check WEEKLEY each hospital you can work or relocate to. they have constant move in and out of the jobs.
 
Are there any pharmacists that live in Arizona but is licensed to practice in BOTH AZ and CA? I have some questions regarding getting licensed.
 
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Wages in my area (2020-grads), only stated wages didn't confirm hours/week per classmates

Albertsons: $48.70/hr
WAGS: $49.55/hr
Rite Aid: $54.50/hr
Walmart: $55/hr
 
quickpic007 said:
This begs the question why is there still overlap in expensive areas of the country while they could just offsite verify in PA?
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Walgreens already has offsite F4 pharmacists and pays them in the 40s per hour. My understanding is most work from home too.
 
Based on the $47 x 64 hrs at WAG and $50 x 60 hrs at CVS it's clear that the chains are deeming the market rate for a pharmacist at $70k and dropping. How about them apples?
 
I know in my area WAGs is 46.50/h and CVS is at 51/h. WAGs is having issues getting candidates because of the extreme wage gap.
 
From the WalMart Wire: I am not working in pharmacy right now, but the WIRE has the hourly wage for pharmacists, technicians, and pharmacy managers for those who are "interested" in working at WalMart. PM me for the information if you are interested in the retail sector. If not, look elsewhere: retail is not dead YET, but it's close enough. Pharmacists I have seen on LinkedIn are already transitioning into other positions and setting themselves up for them. This is really a Brave New World we are living in right now (not Aldous Huxley's book, but still significant nonetheless). The telemedicine route may be a good alternative as well as long-term care, hospice, and (dare I say) nuclear pharmacy.

I am still working on the MPJE by the way. 58, 69, 72 were my scores. I am inching closer with some true help. For those not working period, any job is better than unemployment. Some pharmacists who do not have their licenses yet are working as baristas.

Gotta pay the bills somehow. Hater comments will not be listened to and will not be responded to.
 
Secret_Informant said:
From the WalMart Wire: I am not working in pharmacy right now, but the WIRE has the hourly wage for pharmacists, technicians, and pharmacy managers for those who are "interested" in working at WalMart. PM me for the information if you are interested in the retail sector. If not, look elsewhere: retail is not dead YET, but it's close enough. Pharmacists I have seen on LinkedIn are already transitioning into other positions and setting themselves up for them. This is really a Brave New World we are living in right now (not Aldous Huxley's book, but still significant nonetheless). The telemedicine route may be a good alternative as well as long-term care, hospice, and (dare I say) nuclear pharmacy.

I am still working on the MPJE by the way. 58, 69, 72 were my scores. I am inching closer with some true help. For those not working period, any job is better than unemployment. Some pharmacists who do not have their licenses yet are working as baristas.

Gotta pay the bills somehow. Hater comments will not be listened to and will not be responded to.
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You've taken the MPJE 3 times?
 
mentos said:
You've taken the MPJE 3 times?
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I wonder if they aren't a native english speaker. Imagine going to school for 4 years and the MPJE or NAPLEX being the hurdle you can't pass.
 
Gombrich12 said:
I wonder if they aren't a native english speaker. Imagine going to school for 4 years and the MPJE or NAPLEX being the hurdle you can't pass.
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No, it's a lack of preparation and probable occupational mismatch (lack of motivation given some other comments made). Multiple NAPLEX attempts as well, this is more than a year since graduation for that one. I remember that one as why I looked up the rule for score transfer being predicated on the primary license being accomplished. The school did this person a disservice by admitting as an occupational mismatch.
 
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