Top 9 Highest Paying Jobs With A Pharmacy Degree

A degree in Pharmacy can open doors to numerous high paying occupations. Pharmacy is a multi-disciplinary subject that links with various other subjects like business, healthcare and environment sciences etc.



There are several universities in the US that offer degrees in pharmacy on various levels i.e. bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral. Some universities offer dual degrees in pharmacy at master’s and doctoral level. For instance, the University of Southern California offers following dual/joint degrees in Pharmacy:

  • Doctor of Pharmacy/Juris Doctor (PharmD/JD)
  • Doctor of Pharmacy/Doctor of Philosophy (PharmD/PhD)
  • Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration (PharmD/MBA) and more.

Keeping that in mind, here is the list of 10 highest paying jobs in the US with a Pharmacy degree. Many of these degrees require a doctoral or a professional degree while others require at least a bachelor’s degree. The following salary information, job description and career outlook data has been reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2018-19.

Purchasing Managers, Buyers and Purchasing Agents

Purchasing Managers are supposed to supervise all purchases of products or services on behalf of their company. They oversee the performance of buyers as well as all purchasing agents that work under their supervision. They have the authority to negotiate all purchasing contracts. In addition to that, they also write quality reviews for purchased products. With a degree in Pharmacy, all these duties will be performed with relevance to the purchase of chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$128,400 (Purchasing Managers)

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

-6%

Top Paying State, 2019

New Jersey

$166,940

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Other Information Services

$160,990

 

Pharmacists

The job description of Pharmacists requires them to carefully dispense drugs that are prescribed by Physicians or other Healthcare Practitioners. Pharmacists are also required to inform and advise patients about the proper use of their prescribed medications. Pharmacists are allowed to advise Physicians and other Healthcare Practitioners regarding dosage and selection of a particular drug and its side effects etc.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$125,510

Entry-Level Education

Doctoral or Professional Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

0%

Top Paying State, 2019

California

$144,050

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Outpatient Care Centers

$143,150

Biochemists and Biophysicists

Biochemists are individuals who study chemical compositions of living cells as well as living organisms. They carry out research on the electrical and mechanical energy reactions happening within living organisms. Biochemists also investigate the complex chemical reactions related to metabolism, heredity, reproduction and growth etc. They also study the effects of drugs, serums, foods, hormones, and other related elements on significant processes of living beings.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$108,180

Entry-Level Education

Doctoral or Professional Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

6%

Top Paying State, 2019

Illinois

$114,300

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services

$129,700

Medical Scientists

Medical Scientists are trained individuals who use scientific methodologies to investigate various diseases that occur in human beings. Their research is aimed to improve the human health therefore, they carry out clinical research and trials. Medical Scientists can belong to numerous professions with various degrees in natural science. For instance, Medical Scientists can be Pharmacologists, Medical Pathologists, Physicians, Public Health Specialists and so on.

The following statistics are for Medical Scientists, except Epidemiologists.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$98,770

Entry-Level Education

Doctoral or Professional Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

8% (Medical Scientists)

Top Paying State, 2019

Maine

$130,310

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Employment Services

$146,590

Chemists

Chemists are scientists who carry out qualitative or quantitative research using chemical techniques to perform experiments in laboratories. Their research is aimed at performing quality control evaluations or they conduct research to develop new products and extend existing knowledge. 

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$84,150

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

4% (Chemists and Material Sciences)

Top Paying State, 2019

District of Columbia

$122,360

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Federal Executive Branch

$114,510

Environmental Scientists and Specialists

They are also scientists tasked with conducting research to identify and eliminate sources of hazardous elements or other pollutants affecting our surroundings. Their research aims to improve human health and to prevent deterioration of the planet.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$77,940

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

8%

Top Paying State, 2019

District of Columbia

$112,540

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Natural Gas Distribution

$105,380

 

Chemical Technicians

Chemical Technicians carry out laboratory tests to help the scientists who are conducting qualitative and quantitative research. They usually run tests on samples of liquids, soil and other gaseous materials. The results of these tests are then used by scientists to perform quality control, develop new products or help maintain environmental standards etc.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$52,910

Entry-Level Education

Associate’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

2%

Top Paying State, 2019

Alaska

$67,190

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution

$77,410

Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy Technicians are required to prepare medications under the supervision of Pharmacists. They are supposed to carefully measure or mix, count out the medicines, label them properly and maintain the record of amounts and dosages of medications as mentioned in the prescription orders.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$35,250

Entry-Level Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job Outlook, 2018-28

7%

Top Paying State, 2019

California

$45,200

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Federal Executive Branch

$44,920

Pharmacy Aides

Pharmacy Aides are supposed to record the drugs that are delivered to the pharmacy they work for. They are also responsible for storing the received stock under the supervision of the Pharmacist. In addition to that, they inform their supervisor about the required stock. They may also be asked to manage the cash register or receive prescriptions for filling.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$30,490 (Pharmacy Aides)

Entry-Level Education

Not Available on BLS

Job Outlook, 2018-28

Not Available on BLS

Top Paying State, 2018

Alaska

$48,600

Top Paying Industry, 2018

Outpatient Care Centers

$52,280

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