This document summarizes information about the career of a pharmacist. Median earnings for pharmacists are $106,410 annually with middle 50% earning between $92,670 to $121,310. Pharmacists must complete 2 years of prerequisite coursework and obtain a 4-year Pharm.D degree. Pharmacists work in various settings like retail stores, hospitals, and can eventually become supervisors or advance to executive roles. The job outlook for pharmacists is expected to grow faster than average between 2008-2018.

1. Pharmacist Shelby Gaskin 3-1-11 Personal Finance

2. Earnings Median earnings: $106,410 Middle 50%: $92,670 - $121,310

3. Educational Requirements 2 years (at least) of specific course study 4 years of education to obtain Pharm.D degree

4. Positions and Advancement Other options: open independent, local pharmacy Workplace Chain Store Hospital Entry-Level Position Staff level pharmacist Staff level pharmacist Advancement Pharmacy supervisor/store manager/manager at district or regional level/executive position within headquarters Supervisory/advisory positions

5. Nature of Work Distribute prescriptions drugs Advise patients on solutions to health problems Keep confidential personal records of patients Compound drugs (mainly in hospital settings) Advise medical staff on effects of drugs (hospital setting) Pharmaceutical research

6. Working Conditions Clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated Day spent mostly on your feet 40-50 hours per week Many pharmacies open on holidays and extended hours

7. Job Outlook Job market expected to increase faster than average (17% between 2008 and 2018) Increasing involvement in patient care calls for rapid growth of pharmaceutical jobs within medical care establishments *This graph does not portray the expected growth of pharmaceutical careers, but is related to the pharmaceutical industry.

8. Advantages v. Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages Annual salary somewhere between $77,390 and $131,440 Completion of 6-8 years of college Classes in chemistry and mathematics Several exams must be completed, different in each state Clean work environment Relocating may be necessary Basically 9-5 job Not much room for advancement Help others Sometimes required to work nights, weekends, and holidays Increasing job opportunities

9. Reasons I Should be a Pharmacist! I thoroughly enjoy chemistry and physics, subjects that make up several classes I will be required to take in order to obtain my Pharm.D degree. I like working with others and have increased my ability to do so because of my job as a cashier in a grocery store. I love money! This may sound materialistic and shallow, but I know that I need to have a career that will allow me to never have to worry about finances.

10. In Preparation… I already took chemistry and I am currently taking physics, so I am perfecting my skills at that subject. I work with customers daily at my job at a grocery store where I have been working for two years. I have researched this career and found that all of the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.