If you’re thinking about a career as a pharmacist, you have plenty of options when it comes to where — and how — you work. Whether you prefer a hospital, retail setting or a specialized field, there’s a pharmacy career that fits your interests. Let’s explore which path might be right for you.
What Is a Pharmacist?
A pharmacist is a medical professional who is licensed to dispense prescription medication and provide information to patients about drugs and their intended use.
Their responsibilities typically include instructing patients on proper use, side effects and storage of medication; administering vaccines; advising patients on general health topics; working with insurance companies and supervising .
Are Pharmacists in Demand?
The short answer is yes — but the level of demand will depend on a handful of factors, including the location, industry trends, healthcare needs and whether the pharmacist position is specialized in any way.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 5% between 2023 and 2033, adding approximately 14,200 job openings each year, though many of these openings will be due to replacing workers who retire or leave the workforce.
8 Types of Pharmacists Based on Work Environment
Pharmacists can work in a variety of settings — here are some of the most common.
1. Community or Retail Pharmacists
Role overview: When you think of a pharmacist, this is probably the first role that comes to mind. Community or retail pharmacists work in drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, big-box stores like Walmart and Target or smaller, locally-owned pharmacies. Their primary focus is serving the community by dispensing medications and offering guidance on prescriptions.
Patients: Since these types of pharmacists serve the community, their clientele includes parents, caregivers, people with acute illnesses and individuals managing chronic conditions.
Average salary: $123,000
2. Hospital Pharmacists
Role overview: A hospital pharmacist works in a hospital or healthcare facility, prescribing and dispensing medication to patients and advising on treatment plans with fellow physicians and medical professionals. Unlike retail pharmacists, who serve the general public, hospital pharmacists collaborate closely with healthcare professionals to manage patient medications.
Patients: =Typical patients include inpatients — such as those recovering from surgery or requiring critical care — as well as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments. Emergency room patients also rely on hospital pharmacists for immediate medication needs. Additionally, they serve outpatients, such as individuals undergoing dialysis or recovering from surgery. Hospital pharmacists working in pediatrics or neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) manage medications for premature infants and children with chronic diseases.
Average salary: $139,799
3. Long-Term Care Pharmacists
Role overview: Long-term care pharmacists dispense and manage medications for patients in long-term care environments — typically nursing homes, assisted living facilities and rehabilitation centers. They may also educate facility staff on potential side effects and safety protocols.
Patients: These types of pharmacists primarily work with elderly individuals, patients with disabilities or chronic illnesses and patients recovering from surgery or a type of illness.
Average salary: $120,850
4. Home Health or Hospice Pharmacists
Role overview: A home health pharmacist ensures that patients receive and properly use their medications at home, whereas a hospice pharmacist serves patients who are receiving end-of-life care at their home or a hospice facility.
Patients: A home health pharmacist serves patients at home who are recovering from an illness or surgery or managing a chronic condition. A hospice pharmacist works with terminally ill patients.
Average salary: $120,850
5. Clinical Pharmacists
Role overview: A clinical pharmacist works in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics and emergency departments. They collaborate with patients, physicians and other healthcare professionals to dispense and manage medications, provide guidance on proper usage, assess medication effectiveness and consult with providers to determine the best course of treatment.
Patients: Clinical pharmacists often assist hospitalized patients, individuals managing chronic conditions, those recovering from serious illness or surgery, patients in rehabilitation centers and outpatients with complex medication regimens.
Average salary: $130,403
6. Industrial Pharmacist
Role overview: An industrial pharmacist focuses on researching, developing and overseeing antimicrobial drug treatments, using expertise in microbiology and pharmacology to improve patient outcomes. This type of work is typically done at a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, research lab or regulatory agency. While not required, you may consider pursuing certifications such as the Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Speciality Certification (BCIDP).
Patients: This type of pharmacist doesn’t work directly with patients; instead, they focus on developing medications and optimizing medication.
Average salary: $126,701
7. Compounding Pharmacists
Role overview: A compounding pharmacist prepares customized medications for patients with specific needs, such as allergies to certain ingredients, difficulty swallowing pills or requiring alternative dosages or formulations. This position is often found at specialty pharmacies or compounding pharmacy companies. You’ll often need additional training in advanced compounding techniques, and certifications such as Compounded Sterile Preparations Pharmacy Speciality Certification and Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) Sterile Pharmacy Accreditation. These credentials are beneficial and may even be required for some positions.
Patients: Compounding pharmacists serve patients with specialized medication needs, including those with allergies or sensitivities, chronic pain and hormone therapy requirements, as well as pediatric and elderly patients who need customized formulations.
Average salary: $126,701
8. Academic Pharmacists
Role overview: Academic pharmacists, also known as pharmacy professors, typically teach at colleges or universities and conduct pharmaceutical research. They may also work for private companies or research institutions, contributing to drug development, policy and education. This role is ideal for those interested in both academia and advancing pharmaceutical science.
Patients: While academic pharmacists don’t work directly with patients, they impact patient care by training future pharmacists, conducting research and working with other healthcare professionals and institutions.
Average salary: $153,489
12 Types of Pharmacists Based on Specialty
You also have the option to pursue a pharmaceutical career based on specialty. Here are some of the most common specialties.
Note: For many of these positions, additional training/education and/or certification may be recommended or required.
- Infectious disease pharmacists specialize in using antibiotics and other medication to treat patients with infections, especially those caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses. They often work in hospitals and healthcare systems, research institutions, public health organizations, pharmaceutical companies and government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Nuclear pharmacists specialize in preparing, handling and dispensing radioactive drugs used in medical imaging and treatments, such as diagnosing and treating cancer. Nuclear pharmacists must undergo training in radiation safety since they are handling radioactive materials. According to the Board of Pharmacy Specialties, there are around 350 board-certified nuclear pharmacists nationwide.
- Pharmaceutical industry pharmacists work in drug development, testing, manufacturing and regulatory affairs within the pharmaceutical sector. They often work in clinical research areas, labs or manufacturing facilities.
- Consultant pharmacists oversee medication management and dispensing, similar to other pharmacy roles. However, they often consult with other pharmacists and specialize in providing expert advice along with healthcare professionals in treatment centers, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. Consultant pharmacists typically work with elderly individuals, patients with chronic conditions and those in rehabilitation centers, hospice or palliative care.
- Oncology pharmacists specialize in managing and dispensing medications for cancer patients, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies and supportive care medications. They may also facilitate clinical trials and contribute to cancer-related research.
- Senior care pharmacists specialize in helping older adults manage their medications, ensuring they receive the right drugs at the correct doses. They take into account factors such as other medications, nutritional needs and age-related health challenges.
- Pediatric pharmacists manage, dispense and monitor medication treatments for children, from newborns to 18-year-olds. They work with healthcare providers to ensure that pediatric patients receive the right drugs, often considering factors such as age and weight.
- Psychiatric pharmacists specialize in managing and optimizing medications for individuals with mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
- Emergency medicine pharmacists specialize in providing rapid medication management in urgent care settings, such as emergency rooms (ERs) or trauma centers.
- Critical care pharmacists work with patients experiencing life-threatening or severe conditions, often in intensive care units (ICUs) or trauma centers. They manage complex medication regimens, adjusting treatments to the patient’s critical condition. Working closely with doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers, their primary goal is to help stabilize the patient and optimize their care.
- Cardiology pharmacistsspecialize in managing and dispensing medications for individuals with cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, arrhythmias and coronary heart diseases.
- Ambulatory care pharmacists provide pharmaceutical care in outpatient settings, such as clinics, doctor’s offices or outpatient centers. In addition to managing medications, they often educate patients, offer lifestyle coaching and serve as patient advocates.
How to Become a Pharmacist
If you’re interested in becoming a pharmacy, regardless of specialization or work environment, you’ll need a comprehensive education that culminates in a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. Below is a general step-by-step guideline to help you navigate the path to becoming a licensed pharmacist.
- Complete pre-pharmacy coursework:While a bachelor’s degree isn’t always required, many pharmacy schools prefer or require coursework in subjects such as biology, chemistry and math. Some colleges or universities may offer specific undergraduate pathways to a PharmD degree.
- Apply to PharmD programs: Once you’ve completed the necessary coursework, you’re ready to apply to PharmD programs. Most schools require prospective students to submit their applications through the PharmCAS system.
- Once accepted, enroll in a PharmD program: Once you’ve been accepted, you will begin your coursework and practical training.
- Complete Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs): During the program, you will complete the APPEs, which are hands-on rotations in real-world pharmacy settings.
- Pass licensure exams: A degree alone is not enough to become a pharmacist; you must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). Some states may have additional requirements.
- Obtain state licensure: Once you’ve passed your exams, you can apply for state licensure through your state’s board of pharmacy.
- Consider postgraduate training (optional): You can also choose to pursue postgraduate training to become specialized in a particular area of pharmacy medicine, such as oncology, pediatrics or clinical research.
- Look for employment: While pharmacists commonly work in traditional settings like retail and hospital pharmacies, they also find opportunities in clinics, outpatient care centers and long-term care facilities. Additionally, they can work for pharmaceutical and biotech companies, research institutions, universities and government or regulatory agencies.
- Renew licenses and certifications: The specific requirements vary by state, but in general, a pharmacist’s license must be renewed every one to three years.
According to ZipRecruiter, some of the highest-paying pharmacist positions often include chief pharmacist (typically the highest leadership position within a pharmacy), pharmacy consultant, hospital pharmacist and long-term care pharmacist. Your salary will depend on several factors, including your employer, specific responsibilities and location.
Once you earn your PharmD degree and obtain state licensure, you can choose to pursue postgraduate training to become specialized in a particular area.
If you’re interested in becoming a pharmacist, you’ll need a combination of technical knowledge, analytical thinking and strong interpersonal skills.
Yes, pharmacists can switch specialities, although the transition depends on factors such as experience, additional training and certification requirements.
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Pharmacy Career?
At Marshall University’s School of Pharmacy, we prioritize active learning across all our programs. Our educational approach is centered on interactive teaching, teamwork and peer learning in small, innovative classrooms.
In addition to our PharmD program, Marshall offers a range of exciting opportunities within the School of Pharmacy, including Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Master’s Degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration Program.
We prepare students for success in diverse healthcare environments through rigorous coursework in biomedical, pharmaceutical and clinical sciences. With state-of-the-art studio classrooms and laboratories, you’ll engage in hands-on learning that equips you for a successful career.