As pharmacy students plan for a career in pharmacy, they often wonder which pharmacy settings will be the best choice. Before deciding on a pharmacy practice setting it is advisable to know how pharmacists are compensated in various pharmacy jobs. Here is some information on salary and job description for pharmacists in retail pharmacy, clinical practice, academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and independently owned pharmacy.

1. Retail Pharmacist

Average starting salary: $117,473

Job Description

Community pharmacists include those that work for companies such as Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS pharmacy. They dispense medications, counsel patients on prescription medications as well as give OTC advice, and discuss medication therapy with the physicians. They also give advice on diet, exercise, and stress management.

Average starting salary for a retail pharmacist is around $117,000. With enough experience, a retail pharmacist can move up to become a pharmacist manager and earn an average salary of $129,000 in the United States.

2. Clinical Pharmacist

Average starting salary: $105,635

Job Description

Clinical pharmacists interact frequently with other healthcare providers to optimize health outcomes from medications. Clinical pharmacists monitor patient progress from the time of admission to discharge. They attend rounds with the physicians to discuss proper medications and doses and discuss drug administration with nurses.

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