Pharmacists
Description OES Code: 325170
Compound and dispense medications following prescriptions issued by physicians, dentists, or other authorized medical practitioners.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $32.13
25th Percentile $37.11
50th Percentile $40.48
75th Percentile $43.84

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $24.14
25th Percentile $32.55
50th Percentile $39.25
75th Percentile $43.59

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Most pharmacists are employed on a full time basis. Most employers report that they provide vacations, medical and dental insurance, in addition to sick leave and life insurance and retirement.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 9,330
Projected Employment 2008 12,360
Percent Change 1998-2008 32.5%
Separations 1998-2008 2,390

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 290
Projected Employment 2006 330
Percent Change 1999-2006 13.8%
Separations 1999-2006 60

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Pharmacists usually work in a clean, well-lighted, and well-ventilated area that resembles a small laboratory. Pharmacy can be mentally demanding, in part because of the thousands of drugs that are in the medical arsenal, and in part because of the need to keep current on the hundreds of new drugs introduced every year.

Advancement
Pharmacists often begin as employees in community pharmacies. After they gain experience and secure the necessary capital, they may become owners or part owners of pharmacies. A Pharmacist with experience in a chain drugstore may advance to a managerial position, and later to a higher executive position within the company. Hospital Pharmacists who have the necessary training and experience may advance to director of pharmacy service or to other administrative positions. Pharmacists in manufacturing often have opportunities for advancement in management, sales, research, quality control, advertising, production, packaging, and other areas.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Employers advertise in trade and daily papers and advise pharmacy schools of vacancies. Information about job openings is also passed among Pharmacists. Employers in outlying areas find the statewide clearance procedures of the California Employment Development Department helpful. Government positions are filled from civil service lists.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
To practice pharmacy, a license is required. Licensure requires graduation from an accredited pharmacy degree program, passage of a State board examination, possession of a specified amount of practical experience, or an internship under the supervision of a licensed Pharmacist. Internships generally are served in a community or hospital pharmacy.

At least five years of study beyond high school are required to graduate from one of the degree programs accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education. Five years are needed to obtain a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, the degrees received by most graduates. Depending upon a student's educational background, six or seven years are required for a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Admission requirements vary. A few colleges admit students directly from high school. Most colleges of pharmacy, however, require entrants to have completed 1 or 2 years of pre-pharmacy education in an accredited college or university.

References
California Occupational Guide: #159

Related Occupations: Chemists, Microbiologists, Pharmacy Technicians

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)