Pharmacist

Your Fit

Income

$112K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

2.6%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Pharmacist?

A Pharmacist is a healthcare professional responsible for dispensing medications prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners. They also provide expertise about the safe use of medications, including consultations on dosages, potential side effects, and interactions.

Sample job titles:

Clinical Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacist, Pharm D (Pharmacy Doctor), Pharmacist in Charge (PIC)

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Pharmacist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Pharmacist earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Pharmacist.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$77K per year	$97K per year	$112K per year	$125K per year	$135K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $47K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Pharmacist do?

Work environment

Pharmacists typically work in pharmacies, which can be located in drugstores, grocery stores, hospitals, and healthcare facilities. They often work in clean, well-organized environments but may spend a lot of time standing. Work schedules can include nights, weekends, and holidays, particularly in facilities that are open 24/7.

Quick task list

Dispenses medications and ensures proper dosage and administration instructions.
Counsels patients on medication use, potential side effects, and interactions.
Manages pharmacy operations, including inventory and staff supervision.
Compounds medications for specific patient needs.
Collaborates with physicians and other healthcare professionals.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Community Pharmacy: Providing medication and health advice in retail settings.
Hospital Pharmacy: Managing medication therapy in hospital settings, including direct patient care.
Clinical Pharmacy: Working in healthcare settings to optimize medication therapy and improve patient outcomes.
Pharmaceutical Industry: Involving in drug research, development, and marketing.
Regulatory Pharmacy: Working with government agencies in areas such as drug legislation and compliance.

Description

Pharmacists play a critical role in healthcare by ensuring safe and effective medication use. Their knowledge of pharmaceuticals is vital for advising patients and healthcare providers. They must stay up-to-date with new drugs and treatments, as well as with laws and regulations regarding drug dispensation.

In their daily practice, pharmacists review prescriptions to assure accuracy, determine medications' potential interactions, and counsel patients on how to take medicines safely and effectively. They must also manage pharmacy operations, including supervising staff, handling inventory, and maintaining patient records.

The profession requires strong analytical skills to understand and interpret medical data and excellent communication skills for interacting with patients and healthcare providers. Pharmacists need to be detail-oriented, as accuracy is crucial in dispensing medications and advising patients.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to patient health and wellbeing.
Being an integral part of the healthcare team.
Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
Job security and competitive salary.

You might make a good Pharmacist if you are...

Interested in healthcare and medicine.
Detail-oriented and meticulous in handling prescriptions and advising patients.
Good at communication and able to explain complex information clearly.
A problem-solver with strong analytical abilities.
Able to manage tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Pros:

High level of responsibility and trust in the healthcare community.
Diverse opportunities in different settings and specializations.
Relatively high earning potential and job stability.

Cons:

The education path is lengthy and can be expensive.
High-pressure environment, especially in busy pharmacies.
Need to work evenings, weekends, and holidays in some settings.

How to become a Pharmacist

Typical education

Becoming a pharmacist usually requires a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, which typically takes four years to complete post-bachelor's degree. Admission to a Pharm.D. program requires at least two years of specific undergraduate coursework. Pharmacists also need to be licensed, which involves passing two exams.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics for a strong foundation in sciences.
Health Sciences to understand basic medical concepts.
Communication or English to develop effective communication skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or community clinics.
Participating in science clubs or fairs.
Shadowing a pharmacist or working as a pharmacy assistant.

Preparation after high school

Complete a bachelor's degree with coursework in sciences.
Enroll in and complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program.
Pass the licensing exams required to practice as a pharmacist.
Consider pursuing residency or fellowship for advanced training, especially for clinical or specialized roles.

More resources

American Pharmacists Association (APhA) - Offers resources and support for pharmacists.
Pharmacy Times - Provides news and education for the pharmacy industry.
Board of Pharmacy Specialties - Information on specialized areas and certification in pharmacy.
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) - Offers resources on pharmacy education and licensure.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Information on drug regulations and safety.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.