Pharmacist Salary Thread

[Dr.bird]

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my buddy told me his brother in law was making around 100K+ in research on OK city OK. 👍

 

[teachtopharm?]

What type of debt will school get you into in OK or Ark? Here, most of my classmates will all have between 100 to 150K out by the time we are done. I don't know to many that are sweating the payments, since if you want to, you can drag them out over 20 years. With the overtime available, it is not hard to knock that debt out over a few years, especially if you are lucky and have a spouse that works somewhere.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

I don't know what average indebtedness is in OK. This is a great forum!! Like information on tap! I feel much better and am so excited. Isn't it great when what you want to do as a career works out with that whole money thing? Thanks everyone for your informative posts. 👍 👍

 

[htyotispharm]

In SC, Eckerd pays $10,000 bonus plus $45/hr for a 1&1/2 year contract.

 

[carn311]

You see a lot online about pharmacist STARTING salaries but not much about how much they actually make 10+ yrs into their career.


Anyone know any numbers?

 

[rxgal8]

You see a lot online about pharmacist STARTING salaries but not much about how much they actually make 10+ yrs into their career.


Anyone know any numbers?

Although I'm not an expert on pharmacists' salaries...I'll attempt to answer your question.

As a pharmacist (and I'm assuming that you're talking about a retail/community pharmacy setting), your pay depends on your location and the chain or independent pharmacy you're working for. I would assume that in most cases, the salary probably stays the same. But again, it all depends on supply and demand. If there is a sudden shortage in pharmacists around your location, then you may get a raise, and vice versa.

As for numbers, the salary varies based on location and employer. The numbers you see online are probably averages.

Current pharmacists/students...feel free to add on or correct me. 👍

 

[jdpharmd?]

You see a lot online about pharmacist STARTING salaries but not much about how much they actually make 10+ yrs into their career.


Anyone know any numbers?

Ask an older pharmacist what her or she made 30 years ago. Chances are, it was 30k/year, vs 100k+/year today. So, I guess that's about a 350% increase? 😉 Even over the past 5 years I've seen salaries go from $38/hr to $47/hr... ~25% increase.

 

[loo]

For Retail-"what the market will bear"

Short term: big leaps depending on market area, i.e. start high, big raises initially

Long Term: raises commensurate with cost of living reflected by region you live in.

 

[OoShimmeroO]

I'm guessing that a 50 year old pharmacist (non-manager) will probably be making the same or slightly more (5,0000+) than a 26 year old pharmacist.

 

[carn311]

So is there any room for advancement in the retail sector? promotions and such?

 

[ultracet]

So is there any room for advancement in the retail sector? promotions and such?

depends on what you want to be doing... but just to remain in the status quo and have raises... no, not in my understanding

 

[2005pharmD]

I'm guessing that a 50 year old pharmacist (non-manager) will probably be making the same or slightly more (5,0000+) than a 26 year old pharmacist.

$50000/yr for a full-time pharmacist seems a bit low, doesn't it? I'd think that the lowest paid full-time pharmacists in the U.S. make at least $60000. I haven't done any research on this, just a feeling. So for someone who does have a good, reliable source of information on this, please enlighten us all.

 

[ultracet]

$50000/yr for a full-time pharmacist seems a bit low, doesn't it? I'd think that the lowest paid full-time pharmacists in the U.S. make at least $60000. I haven't done any research on this, just a feeling. So for someone who does have a good, reliable source of information on this, please enlighten us all.

everywhere that i have looked... i would not work for 50 or 60 K.

i'm personally not going to be thrilled for anything less then 80k but then again.. i'm looking retail for a chain with some nice perks (read: money)

 

[baggywrinkle]

I'm guessing that a 50 year old pharmacist (non-manager) will probably be making the same or slightly more (5,0000+) than a 26 year old pharmacist.

Indeed, the 50 year old pharmacist who is comfortable in his position (five years or more) may actually be making less than the hotshot new grad who was hired in at the current market rate

 

[OoShimmeroO]

$50000/yr for a full-time pharmacist seems a bit low, doesn't it? I'd think that the lowest paid full-time pharmacists in the U.S. make at least $60000. I haven't done any research on this, just a feeling. So for someone who does have a good, reliable source of information on this, please enlighten us all.

I didn't mean that the pharmacist would be making "50 thousand" per year. I was saying that an older pharmacist would probably being making the same amount as a new pharmacist or maybe like "5 thousand" bucks more per year.

 

[rxgal8]

So is there any room for advancement in the retail sector? promotions and such?

Well, if you decided to become a pharmacy manager, then you will make more.

 

[skp]

ooo... ooo...
dean of a pharmacy school! this is where the cash is at!
😀

 

[rxgal8]

ooo... ooo...
dean of a pharmacy school! this is where the cash is at!
😀

hahaha.... 👍

 

[Z e r o X]

I heard new pharmacists start out at $80,000+ per year. How much do pharmacist working 10+ years make per year? do they exceed 100k or stay at 80k forever?

 

[ZpackSux]

I heard new pharmacists start out at $80,000+ per year. How much do pharmacist working 10+ years make per year? do they exceed 100k or stay at 80k forever?

Base pay for hospital pharmacists in my area ranges from $42 per hour to $48 per hour. Managers tend to make more.

When I was in Northern Cal last year, base pay for hospital pharmacists were $52 per hour.

 

[ultracet]

I heard new pharmacists start out at $80,000+ per year. How much do pharmacist working 10+ years make per year? do they exceed 100k or stay at 80k forever?

they will typically max out right where they start

 

[Z e r o X]

they will typically max out right where they start

So does that mean that there is not much potential as a pharmacist? Is a pharmacist who worked his whole life going to make the same amount as a new graduated student? What if you get an MBA?

 

[bananaface]

This is a pre-pharmacy topic.

... moving.


- Anna

 

[Z e r o X]

Anyone know? Do anyone know any pharmacist / pharmacist managers that make 100k per year? Is this impossible amount for pharmacist?

 

[b*rizzle]

Anyone know? Do anyone know any pharmacist / pharmacist managers that make 100k per year? Is this impossible amount for pharmacist?

Whenever I hear folks asking persistent questions like this, I always wonder if they want to do pharmacy because it interests them, or if they want to make a quick buck straight out of college. I apologize for questioning your motives; I'm just stating what I know based on past experience. It's good to want more info, but don't make your decision based solely on salary. All pharmacy schools will inevitably ask you during your interview "why pharmacy?" "Good money" (or derivations of that) are generally not going to win you the favor of an adcom.

To get off my soapbox and answer the question, retail pharmacists generally make more (and usually get good benefits, because otherwise these chain retail pharmacies wouldn't be able to keep most of their good pharmacists). Where I live, it's on the order of about $20k/year in difference.

However, that is also what is very frustrating about some aspects of pharmacy -- you max out right where you start. There are few opportunities for advancement in retail (most people aren't crazy enough to want to be pharmacy DMs and the like), and many chain places are stingy with raises for pharmacists, no matter how stellar they are. Most retail pharmacists will tell you that they EARN every penny of that $100k+ they earn every year, and they do. It can be an often thankless job -- people take lots of their problems out on the pharmacy staff, many times when it is not the pharmacy's fault.

Both of the pharmacists I work with make over $100k a year, easy. But there are times when they feel that even that is not enough to deal with the mess that they have to (both have been in the business for over 20 years).

 

[skp]

salary.com

i think it's pretty accurate...
unless someone knows otherwise?

nice little "region of the country" feature too

 

[Z e r o X]

Whenever I hear folks asking persistent questions like this, I always wonder if they want to do pharmacy because it interests them, or if they want to make a quick buck straight out of college. I apologize for questioning your motives; I'm just stating what I know based on past experience. It's good to want more info, but don't make your decision based solely on salary. All pharmacy schools will inevitably ask you during your interview "why pharmacy?" "Good money" (or derivations of that) are generally not going to win you the favor of an adcom.

To get off my soapbox and answer the question, retail pharmacists generally make more (and usually get good benefits, because otherwise these chain retail pharmacies wouldn't be able to keep most of their good pharmacists). Where I live, it's on the order of about $20k/year in difference.

However, that is also what is very frustrating about some aspects of pharmacy -- you max out right where you start. There are few opportunities for advancement in retail (most people aren't crazy enough to want to be pharmacy DMs and the like), and many chain places are stingy with raises for pharmacists, no matter how stellar they are. Most retail pharmacists will tell you that they EARN every penny of that $100k+ they earn every year, and they do. It can be an often thankless job -- people take lots of their problems out on the pharmacy staff, many times when it is not the pharmacy's fault.

Both of the pharmacists I work with make over $100k a year, easy. But there are times when they feel that even that is not enough to deal with the mess that they have to (both have been in the business for over 20 years).

I think most people go into retail pharmacy for the money. Why else would they work in retail after 6 years of college?

I mean what other job can you get a doctorate degree and make over 100k a year in 6 years? I think pharmacy majors have the highest starting salary out of college. c'mon 100k a year for counting pills and bagging doritos? thats gotta be one of the easiest and highest paying jobs with just a undergrad degree.

 

[skp]

I think most people go into retail pharmacy for the money. Why else would they work in retail after 6 years of college?

I mean what other job can you get a doctorate degree and make over 100k a year in 6 years? I think pharmacy majors have the highest starting salary out of college. c'mon 100k a year for counting pills and bagging doritos? thats gotta be one of the easiest and highest paying jobs with just a undergrad degree.

i love doritos 😍

i guess i don't have anything else to say...

 

[Caverject]

I think most people go into retail pharmacy for the money. Why else would they work in retail after 6 years of college?

I mean what other job can you get a doctorate degree and make over 100k a year in 6 years? I think pharmacy majors have the highest starting salary out of college. c'mon 100k a year for counting pills and bagging doritos? thats gotta be one of the easiest and highest paying jobs with just a undergrad degree.

yeah...like duh!! Love that undergrad degree too 🙄

 

[b*rizzle]

I think most people go into retail pharmacy for the money. Why else would they work in retail after 6 years of college?

I mean what other job can you get a doctorate degree and make over 100k a year in 6 years? I think pharmacy majors have the highest starting salary out of college. c'mon 100k a year for counting pills and bagging doritos? thats gotta be one of the easiest and highest paying jobs with just a undergrad degree.

I said PHARMACY as a whole, not just retail. It's always a really bad idea to do something specifically for the money -- there should be other things about it that you enjoy. Case in point: I am more than willing to bet that if an adcom asked you "why pharmacy" in an interview that the financial compensation would comprise a very insignificant part of your answer.

No kidding that people do retail for the money. My point is that there are lots of people who will also tell you that sometimes even 100k a year isn't enough compensation for the mess you have to deal with in retail. The two pharmacists that I work with must apply for vacation time six months prior to taking off, to ensure that they will have someone to cover them. There are not enough relief pharmacists in the area. The retail chain in my area has also not been able to open up any new stores because they cannot find full time pharmacists to work them. Surely this would not be so with the numbers of students entering pharmacy school and the high demand for pharmacists, if the job were so easy. I mean, just counting pills and bagging doritos for 100k?? Sign me up!

That brings me to my next point: have you ever worked in a retail pharmacy? Do you know anyone who has? You should talk to someone who works in a drive-thru pharmacy. Because I think anyone who has would agree with me when I say that you do a lot more than "counting pills" and "bagging Doritos". Don't you think that's a silly reason to go to school for six years and fork over tens of thousands in tuition? You can do the same thing and be a tech for significantly less pay and formal education. If you'd ever worked retail, you'd know that the techs are the ones that usually get stuck doing "grunt" work anyway. I guarantee that the techs aren't there for the "fantastic" pay -- I'm certainly not. There are days when I love what I do, and there are days when I'd like nothing better than to walk right out. Both of the pharmacists that I work with have voiced similar sentiments.

Retail pharmacy is often a thankless job; people who are sick or hurt frequently take out their frustrations on the pharmacy staff, no matter how helpful or polite you are. When their insurance won't pay for medication they've been getting for years, who do you think gets hollered at? Pharmacists are responsible for keeping an eagle-eye on everything that goes on in the pharmacy. When a tech messes up, it's the pharmacist's fault for not catching it. The pharmacist has the license and the education to know better -- hopefully. Doctors frequently write for things patients are allergic to or that will signficantly interact with other things that they're taking. Who do you think will ultimately be held responsible if a patient suffers from a fatal drug interaction? And no, it's not just always the computer. There's a bit more to it than that. The list goes on and on.

It's disturbing that this is your attitude towards pharmacy -- but this is also the same line of reasoning that has made the pharmacist's job more stressful. But surely, if all you're doing is counting pills and bagging Doritos, then you should have no problems whatsoever.

And for the record, a Pharm.D. is a professional degree, like an MD, not a "doctorate" (PhD).

 

[Z e r o X]

Whenever I hear folks asking persistent questions like this, I always wonder if they want to do pharmacy because it interests them, or if they want to make a quick buck straight out of college. I apologize for questioning your motives; I'm just stating what I know based on past experience. It's good to want more info, but don't make your decision based solely on salary. All pharmacy schools will inevitably ask you during your interview "why pharmacy?" "Good money" (or derivations of that) are generally not going to win you the favor of an adcom.

To get off my soapbox and answer the question, retail pharmacists generally make more (and usually get good benefits, because otherwise these chain retail pharmacies wouldn't be able to keep most of their good pharmacists). Where I live, it's on the order of about $20k/year in difference.

However, that is also what is very frustrating about some aspects of pharmacy -- you max out right where you start. There are few opportunities for advancement in retail (most people aren't crazy enough to want to be pharmacy DMs and the like), and many chain places are stingy with raises for pharmacists, no matter how stellar they are. Most retail pharmacists will tell you that they EARN every penny of that $100k+ they earn every year, and they do. It can be an often thankless job -- people take lots of their problems out on the pharmacy staff, many times when it is not the pharmacy's fault.

Both of the pharmacists I work with make over $100k a year, easy. But there are times when they feel that even that is not enough to deal with the mess that they have to (both have been in the business for over 20 years).

Worked for over 20 years and no promotion, raises, etc.? Does that mean that a newly graduated pharmacist makes as much (if not more) than somebody who has 20+ years of experience?

Would getting a MBA, JD, etc. help you get into management or other higher level jobs?

 

[rxgal8]

And for the record, a Pharm.D. is a professional degree, like an MD, not a "doctorate" (PhD).

👍
A PhD is a doctorate degree.
An MD or Pharm D, etc is a doctoral degree.

(I used to get those mixed up 😀 )

 

[b*rizzle]

Worked for over 20 years and no promotion, raises, etc.? Does that mean that a newly graduated pharmacist makes as much (if not more) than somebody who has 20+ years of experience?

Surprisingly little. Promotions and raises are enough for a DM to claim that pay is not static and that there is some kind of mobility within the job, but not significant enough for there to be a huge gap in the amount of pay a new grad receives and the amount that an experienced pharmacist gets.

Would getting a MBA, JD, etc. help you get into management or other higher level jobs?

Yes, but I don't know that you'd want to work retail after getting another advanced degree. 😛 My family is good friends with a man that has both a Pharm.D. and a JD (he went back to get it after about 10 years in retail) and now he makes about 5 times what he did in retail. He now works closely with hospitals to defend doctors in malpractice suits.

 

[Z e r o X]

I said PHARMACY as a whole, not just retail. It's always a really bad idea to do something specifically for the money -- there should be other things about it that you enjoy. Case in point: I am more than willing to bet that if an adcom asked you "why pharmacy" in an interview that the financial compensation would comprise a very insignificant part of your answer.

No kidding that people do retail for the money. My point is that there are lots of people who will also tell you that sometimes even 100k a year isn't enough compensation for the mess you have to deal with in retail. The two pharmacists that I work with must apply for vacation time six months prior to taking off, to ensure that they will have someone to cover them. There are not enough relief pharmacists in the area. The retail chain in my area has also not been able to open up any new stores because they cannot find full time pharmacists to work them. Surely this would not be so with the numbers of students entering pharmacy school and the high demand for pharmacists, if the job were so easy. I mean, just counting pills and bagging doritos for 100k?? Sign me up!

That brings me to my next point: have you ever worked in a retail pharmacy? Do you know anyone who has? You should talk to someone who works in a drive-thru pharmacy. Because I think anyone who has would agree with me when I say that you do a lot more than "counting pills" and "bagging Doritos". Don't you think that's a silly reason to go to school for six years and fork over tens of thousands in tuition? You can do the same thing and be a tech for significantly less pay and formal education. If you'd ever worked retail, you'd know that the techs are the ones that usually get stuck doing "grunt" work anyway. I guarantee that the techs aren't there for the "fantastic" pay -- I'm certainly not. There are days when I love what I do, and there are days when I'd like nothing better than to walk right out. Both of the pharmacists that I work with have voiced similar sentiments.

Retail pharmacy is often a thankless job; people who are sick or hurt frequently take out their frustrations on the pharmacy staff, no matter how helpful or polite you are. When their insurance won't pay for medication they've been getting for years, who do you think gets hollered at? Pharmacists are responsible for keeping an eagle-eye on everything that goes on in the pharmacy. When a tech messes up, it's the pharmacist's fault for not catching it. The pharmacist has the license and the education to know better -- hopefully. Doctors frequently write for things patients are allergic to or that will signficantly interact with other things that they're taking. Who do you think will ultimately be held responsible if a patient suffers from a fatal drug interaction? And no, it's not just always the computer. There's a bit more to it than that. The list goes on and on.

It's disturbing that this is your attitude towards pharmacy -- but this is also the same line of reasoning that has made the pharmacist's job more stressful. But surely, if all you're doing is counting pills and bagging Doritos, then you should have no problems whatsoever.

And for the record, a Pharm.D. is a professional degree, like an MD, not a "doctorate" (PhD).

But overall being a pharmacist is easier than say nursing and doctors. Most of the job comprise of dispensing drugs and preventing mix-ups/ side effects.

And I don't see why its a bad idea to do something specifically for the money as long as you don't hate your job. After all money is what cause happiness. And isn't happiness what we're all searching for??
I'm pretty sure alot of people would not have become pharmacist if it were not for the extremely high pay. Say it was 30-50k a year, how many people would you think would become pharmacist? Very little.

As for the people that say over 100k a year working retail is not enough, thats more than enough. Pharmacist rarely cannot find a job. They're always in demand. And 100k is alot considering they spent 6 years of college, considering that PhDs in chemistry, biology, etc. dont even make that much. Not even engineers with masters and phD make that much. And I'm pretty sure they're work is WAY harder than pharmacy school because of the math/ theories.

So the way I see it is that pharmacists have it easy and technically the only setback is lack of raises/ promotions/ advancement/ potential. Most people probably waste their whole life/ potential behind a retail counter never leaving because thats the only place paying 100k.

 

[Z e r o X]

Surprisingly little. Promotions and raises are enough for a DM to claim that pay is not static and that there is some kind of mobility within the job, but not significant enough for there to be a huge gap in the amount of pay a new grad receives and the amount that an experienced pharmacist gets.



Yes, but I don't know that you'd want to work retail after getting another advanced degree. 😛 My family is good friends with a man that has both a Pharm.D. and a JD (he went back to get it after about 10 years in retail) and now he makes about 5 times what he did in retail. He now works closely with hospitals to defend doctors in malpractice suits.

That would mean that experience would almost mean nothing in the eyes of an your pharmacist employer. And the question is how does *one* become the DM(department manager?) ?

Could you possibly start your own drug company or work your way up a drug company if you had just your pharmD? I've always thought that getting a pharmD would train pharmacist how to develop and invent new drugs. Do the pharmD teach you that or does it just teach you to dispense it?

 

[endlesslove]

As for the people that say over 100k a year working retail is not enough, thats more than enough. Pharmacist rarely cannot find a job. They're always in demand. And 100k is alot considering they spent 6 years of college

Nuh-uh *shakes head* Pay me $200,000 with PAID vacation days and THEN I'll consider working in retail. Out of all the different types of pharmaces I've volunteered at, I INTENSELY dislike being in the retail environment. $100,000 is SOOO not enough to cover my skyrocketing blood pressure and painful headaches from all the crap you have to put up with that are primarily from short-tempered people who take out their anger on you either b/c

1) their insurance co. isn't going to cover medication
2) they are suffering from severe side effects b/c they are allergic to a medication their MDs prescribed them (we don't have their ENTIRE medical chart)
3) they feel like they are going to blow up soon if they dont' get their meds in the drive-thru anytime soon b/c their bratty kids are fussing in the car
4) we ran out of medication X b/c they came in SEVERAL DAYS TOO EARLY for their refill and we have a gazillion patients that day so we already dispensed that medication
and the list goes on

While there are nice patients in retail pharmacy, the negative truth is that a large number of patients can easily lose their temper in a retail setting and when that happens, they easily take it out on retail pharmacists.

I'm sorry, I didn't go to school for 6-8 years to be short-tempered people's slaves and treated like $h*t! I went to school to get my Pharm.D. so that I can work with my patients on an equal level as their healthcare provider, and for that reason, I deserve to be treated decently, if not well.

 

[microbe hunter]

Nuh-uh *shakes head* Pay me $200,000 with PAID vacation days and THEN I'll consider working in retail. Out of all the different types of pharmaces I've volunteered at, I INTENSELY dislike being in the retail environment. $100,000 is SOOO not enough to cover my skyrocketing blood pressure and painful headaches from all the crap you have to put up with that are primarily from short-tempered people who take out their anger on you either b/c

1) their insurance co. isn't going to cover medication
2) they are suffering from severe side effects b/c they are allergic to a medication their MDs prescribed them (we don't have their ENTIRE medical chart)
3) they feel like they are going to blow up soon if they dont' get their meds in the drive-thru anytime soon b/c their bratty kids are fussing in the car
4) we ran out of medication X b/c they came in SEVERAL DAYS TOO EARLY for their refill and we have a gazillion patients that day so we already dispensed that medication
and the list goes on

While there are nice patients in retail pharmacy, the negative truth is that a large number of patients can easily lose their temper in a retail setting and when that happens, they easily take it out on retail pharmacists.

I'm sorry, I didn't go to school for 6-8 years to be short-tempered people's slaves and treated like $h*t! I went to school to get my Pharm.D. so that I can work with my patients on an equal level as their healthcare provider, and for that reason, I deserve to be treated decently, if not well.

I agree with you. In my opinion, unless I'd be part of some union as a retail pharmacist, I would rather do it on the side to pick up some extra bucks than to make a career of it. There are a lot of things that happen in retail pharmacy that would be considered a grievance if the pharmacist had more backup. Perhaps, rather than having a salary cap, there would be higher salaries for all the work done, as well.

 

[tetra327]

Nuh-uh *shakes head* Pay me $200,000 with PAID vacation days and THEN I'll consider working in retail. Out of all the different types of pharmaces I've volunteered at, I INTENSELY dislike being in the retail environment. $100,000 is SOOO not enough to cover my skyrocketing blood pressure and painful headaches from all the crap you have to put up with that are primarily from short-tempered people who take out their anger on you either b/c

1) their insurance co. isn't going to cover medication
2) they are suffering from severe side effects b/c they are allergic to a medication their MDs prescribed them (we don't have their ENTIRE medical chart)
3) they feel like they are going to blow up soon if they dont' get their meds in the drive-thru anytime soon b/c their bratty kids are fussing in the car
4) we ran out of medication X b/c they came in SEVERAL DAYS TOO EARLY for their refill and we have a gazillion patients that day so we already dispensed that medication
and the list goes on

While there are nice patients in retail pharmacy, the negative truth is that a large number of patients can easily lose their temper in a retail setting and when that happens, they easily take it out on retail pharmacists.

I'm sorry, I didn't go to school for 6-8 years to be short-tempered people's slaves and treated like $h*t! I went to school to get my Pharm.D. so that I can work with my patients on an equal level as their healthcare provider, and for that reason, I deserve to be treated decently, if not well.

Dont forget the people getting irate that they had to wait for you to return from the bathroom, and no lunch break depending on the state/chain.

 

[Glycerin]

After all money is what cause happiness.

Are you young and naïve? While money can certainly add to one's happiness, it isn't, in my opinion, the root of happiness. I know plenty of people that have money and some form of depression. You hear about people with money (actors, doctors, lawyers, and pharmacists included) committing suicide. I bet you it isn't because their money made them happy. There can be a lot of truth in the saying "more money, more problems."

My point is that money is temporary and so is the elation that can accompany it. I'm not going to bash you for wanting to go into pharmacy for financial reasons because it's your life and your choice. I would just hope that you'd have a more genuine or compassionate reason.

 

[joybeth503]

But overall being a pharmacist is easier than say nursing and doctors. Most of the job comprise of dispensing drugs and preventing mix-ups/ side effects.

And I don't see why its a bad idea to do something specifically for the money as long as you don't hate your job. After all money is what cause happiness. And isn't happiness what we're all searching for??
I'm pretty sure alot of people would not have become pharmacist if it were not for the extremely high pay. Say it was 30-50k a year, how many people would you think would become pharmacist? Very little.

I hope money is not the only thing that causes happiness, otherwise the whole world is doomed to be miserable forever!!!! I can think of plenty of things besides $$$ that make me happy

 

[cruelsister]

I've been working at a small (~75 beds) community hospital in Wisconsin since 2001. My initial salary was 80K; My current is 105K.

I guess that a few more bucks would be available in retail, but I love a hospital practice (and I get my lunches and breaks).

 

[gotgame83]

The school I hope to be attending offers a pharmD/JD program. I have not done much research on it yet however could someone tell me what you can do with this Joint degree, and to keep with the trend of the thread, how much one can make in this field?

 

[ultracet]

The school I hope to be attending offers a pharmD/JD program. I have not done much research on it yet however could someone tell me what you can do with this Joint degree, and to keep with the trend of the thread, how much one can make in this field?

i have an instructor who is rph MBA JD PhD (candidate)

he teaches law and Human Resources Management

🙂

 

[gotgame83]

wow, thats too many degrees lol

 

[ZpackSux]

c'mon 100k a year for counting pills and bagging doritos?

why does that sound so familiar..

 

[Z e r o X]

Nuh-uh *shakes head* Pay me $200,000 with PAID vacation days and THEN I'll consider working in retail. Out of all the different types of pharmaces I've volunteered at, I INTENSELY dislike being in the retail environment. $100,000 is SOOO not enough to cover my skyrocketing blood pressure and painful headaches from all the crap you have to put up with that are primarily from short-tempered people who take out their anger on you either b/c

1) their insurance co. isn't going to cover medication
2) they are suffering from severe side effects b/c they are allergic to a medication their MDs prescribed them (we don't have their ENTIRE medical chart)
3) they feel like they are going to blow up soon if they dont' get their meds in the drive-thru anytime soon b/c their bratty kids are fussing in the car
4) we ran out of medication X b/c they came in SEVERAL DAYS TOO EARLY for their refill and we have a gazillion patients that day so we already dispensed that medication
and the list goes on

While there are nice patients in retail pharmacy, the negative truth is that a large number of patients can easily lose their temper in a retail setting and when that happens, they easily take it out on retail pharmacists.

I'm sorry, I didn't go to school for 6-8 years to be short-tempered people's slaves and treated like $h*t! I went to school to get my Pharm.D. so that I can work with my patients on an equal level as their healthcare provider, and for that reason, I deserve to be treated decently, if not well.

Is it seriously that bad working in retail? Think about the people working on the cash register.

Also hows the career advancement in retail? Do you need MBA or something to become DM or go corporate?

 

[Z e r o X]

Are you young and naïve? While money can certainly add to one's happiness, it isn't, in my opinion, the root of happiness. I know plenty of people that have money and some form of depression. You hear about people with money (actors, doctors, lawyers, and pharmacists included) committing suicide. I bet you it isn't because their money made them happy. There can be a lot of truth in the saying "more money, more problems."

My point is that money is temporary and so is the elation that can accompany it. I'm not going to bash you for wanting to go into pharmacy for financial reasons because it's your life and your choice. I would just hope that you'd have a more genuine or compassionate reason.

Probably everybody who goes into pharmacy DOES it for teh money anyways.

If pharmacist made 40k a year, I bet VERY LITTLE people would be pharmacist.

 

[Glycerin]

Probably everybody who goes into pharmacy DOES it for teh money anyways.

Wrong.

If pharmacist made 40k a year, I bet VERY LITTLE people would be pharmacist.

I'm one of those who WOULD still do it for half of what pharmacists are paid now.

 

[Caverject]

Im one that WILL be doing it for about that much

 

[Z e r o X]

Wrong.

How?

I'm one of those who WOULD still do it for half of what pharmacists are paid now.

Why? I thought retail sucked and everybody hated it?

 

[Glycerin]

Why? I thought retail sucked and everybody hated it?

I'm not going into retail. If you aren't aware, there are many different fields within pharmacy. If you need reference, click on the FAQ link in my signature.

Saying something "sucks" is an opinion and purely subjective. There are MANY people who enjoy working retail. To each his/her own.