Same answer as everyone else. My sister and brother-in-law are pharmacists. It used to be great. They had lots of job opportunities and ways to make additional $ because there was a shortage of pharmacists. Now there are too many. My sister started at $50/hr 20+ years ago. She now makes maybe $60/hour? On your feet all day, everyday. She works in a long term care facility that services nursing homes, so she doesn't have to deal with customers all the time. But the work is a total grind and pharmacies have become very, very profit oriented and very micro-manag-ey from what she tells me.

She is a very happy, optimistic person, but from what she says, her job is pretty miserable and pretty much all of the pharmacists are unhappy.

There is a theme in this thread, OP. And the theme is: Don't do it.

Aren’t they being replaced by vending machines?

Hospital based nurse here. All the pharmacists Ive known in several DMV hospitals share the same traits— they’re all very bright and thoughtful, and they all visibly dislike their jobs. They are all overworked. Way, way overworked. But to a person, they’ve all been knowledgeable and professional.

Conversely, every physical therapist Ive worked with in the hospital setting seems to enjoy their job.

Maybe look at that path?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been a pharmacist for over 18 years but have never worked at a pharmacy. I went straight into pharma and love my career path. It has allowed me to have an interesting career path, make more money than I would have at CVS and have job flexibility while raising kids. Pharma\biotech is high risk high reward career path. I would not recommend working at CVS, or a hospital.

The helpful context here is what percentage of pharm jobs are similar to yours vs hospital or retail.

It’s like sales. 10% make gonzo money. The rest end up slinging cars/pills

Anonymous wrote:I have been a pharmacist for over 18 years but have never worked at a pharmacy. I went straight into pharma and love my career path. It has allowed me to have an interesting career path, make more money than I would have at CVS and have job flexibility while raising kids. Pharma\biotech is high risk high reward career path. I would not recommend working at CVS, or a hospital.

The helpful context here is what percentage of pharm jobs are similar to yours vs hospital or retail.

What’s wrong with working at a hospital? The pharmacists I work with in that setting are amazing. They know so much!

Anonymous wrote:Is it considered prestigious and stable? Does it pay well? I don’t know much about it but my DD is interested.

With all the medications people are taking? Yes. Very good job security.

I have been a pharmacist for over 18 years but have never worked at a pharmacy. I went straight into pharma and love my career path. It has allowed me to have an interesting career path, make more money than I would have at CVS and have job flexibility while raising kids. Pharma\biotech is high risk high reward career path. I would not recommend working at CVS, or a hospital.

Is job security still good though ? Easy to get hired?

Not anymore.

You can get a degree that combines pharmacy and business and then work for the hmos

Anonymous wrote:I have a pharmacist friend in sales (a PhD). Makes very good money. I think you would have to go that route to make the time and education worth it at this point.

Do you mean PharmD? Pharmacists didn’t have PhDs, unless they want to do research and become a professor.

Have you never been to a cvs?

I have a pharmacist friend in sales (a PhD). Makes very good money. I think you would have to go that route to make the time and education worth it at this point.

Yes, but only if they also do a research PhD and work at a university.