Lies about pharmacist job market

Do not believe some of the lies being written here regarding lack of job opportunities for pharmacists. These liars are trying to scare people off from applying to pharmacy school because they fear that supply will overtake demand. Fact is, pharmacists make tons of money right out of school and there are and will be many job openings in the future. This is all just a feeble attempt to prevent people from entering this lucrative field. Liars!

Maybe we should all move to Oregon.

Many pharmacists, including myself, don't want to live or commute to the middle of nowhere.

The actual facts are that there is a glut of pharmacists in most major metropolitan areas, but a shortage in many rural areas. There are unemployed pharmacists in Boston, New York, Philadelphia,etc. but there are locations in rural areas in the south and midwest that can't find people. It is a serious maldistribution rather than a glut or shortage. If the writer from Oregon's friend got a job right away in Portland or Eugene, I would be surprised. But, I believe, the situation will get worse, If you are a new pharmacist get ready to accept a "lick and stick" job in the boonies.

John, my guess is that the pharmacist job market will continue to get worse for the next 4-5 years. The number of pharmacists will continue to expand greatly, and the stores and hospitals will continue to improve labor saving software and hire more technicians. The role of information specialist that the schools are promoting are easily delegated to others. Pharmacy, moreover, is not a holistic profession like nursing where there are many roles that nurses can play due to a broader based background. Pharmacy is a relatively narrow technical specialty, with very little professional unity. Of course no one knows for sure, but the future appears very murky, at best. Naturally the schools of Pharmacy will not agree, but asking the pharmacy educators about the future of the field, is like going to a political candidates campaign office and asking about whether the candidate is good or not!

You can see the market for pharmacists overall is steadily decreasing due to the expansion of existing schools and the creation of new ones. Of course this all depends on where the job is located (urban vs. rural) but it definitely is decreasing overall. Check out www.drugschools.com or www.pharmacymanpower.com which tracks the demand of pharmacists nationally and regionally.

Roger, Rph in Bethesda, Maryland said: You can see the market for pharmacists overall is steadily decreasing due to the expansion of existing schools and the creation of new ones. Of course this all depends on where the job is located (urban vs. rural) but it definitely is decreasing overall. Check out www.drugschools.com or www.pharmacymanpower.com which tracks the demand of pharmacists nationally and regionally.

The sources you gave are biased in favor of the schools, as it they have been created by the pharmacy academic establishment to make the job picture look better for students and potential students. The situation is bad and getting worse! Listening to the schools for an opinion is like going to a political candidates headquarters to get an unbiased opinion about the candidate!

Hey out there,

Just wondering, does anyone know how tight the pharmacist labor market is in CA, particularly SF Bay area? I'm wondering how hi or low I should set my expectations. Any information would be helpful; thanks.

I'VE BEEN APPLYING FOR JOB EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE PAST 10 MONTHS,I HAVEN'T GOT A SINGLE CALL EVEN FOR AN INTERVIEW
I'M PHARM.D, 5 YEARS RETAIL EXPERIENCE, NO HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE, LICENSED IN 2 STATES, MA AND PA
NOW, I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO START THINKING ABOUT OPENING MY OWN INDEPENDENT PHARMACY COZ I'LL GET LAID OFF IN LESS THAN A MONTH, I KNOW, IT'S GONNA BE BAD FOR MY PERSONAL LIFE BEING A WOMAN AND WORK 7 DAYS A WEEK LIKE THAT, BUT WHAT I CAN DO ?
MARRY A RICH HUSBAND THEN GO BACK TO SCHOOL ?? LOL...

NO I DON'T LIVE IN MINNESOTA,
I LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA

yardleyed in Morrisville, Pennsylvania said: The sources you gave are biased in favor of the schools, as it they have been created by the pharmacy academic establishment to make the job picture look better for students and potential students. The situation is bad and getting worse! Listening to the schools for an opinion is like going to a political candidates headquarters to get an unbiased opinion about the candidate!

Hi Yardleyed,
I've followed your comments--and agree with your points. Just wondering, do you currently practice? If so, what area of pharmacy? Do you enjoy it (still)? I frequently wish that I had chosen another profession! I've become old(er) and cynical:)

You cannot get a job in pharmacy unless you have a pharmd and clinical experience.I really want to get into the federal govnt working short term gigs but I cannot seem to it is worse than finding a retail job in NJ.The only way to get these Federal jobs is go through an agency and that is the pits.The agency never calls back and once they hear you have no experience they drop you like a hot potatoe.If someone knows how to get a travelling Federal job please tell me

The market is getting very tight in a lot of places. In Philadelphia, a pharmacist position will be virtually impossible to get unless you happen to have some great experience in a particular specialty and such a job happens to open up. Pharmacy chains are offering new graduates per diem positions rather than full time jobs. I see a dark, dismal future for pharmacy graduates for many years to come.

The pharmacy schools will tell you virtually anything to get tuition money, asking them is like asking a car salesman whether or not you should buy a new car or fix your old one.

James H in Tualatin, Oregon said: I am a little surprised at the negativity. My girlfriend just graduated pharmacy school here in Oregon a week ago. She is 30 years old and did not even have to look for a job. She was given job offers while doing her rotations. In the end she accepted a job offer starting her above 6 figures and a $5000 signing bonus. I can tell you that in the city the jobs are more competitive to get but the rural pharmacies (at least in Oregon) have plenty of job openings.

If your willing to move youll find something somewhere. Anything near the city (USP, Temple, Rutgers and now Jefferson)....the whole state of PA is basically a no go...and same with jersey.

I got 2 job offers in PA from my rotations...but as far as someone who has recently closed an independent..or someone trying to switch jobs....you better know someone! Because theres nothing

NO MORE JOB FOR RPH WITHOUT HOSPITAL EXP in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: NO I DON'T LIVE IN MINNESOTA,
I LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA

Dont open your own store...youll regret it and be out tons of money (trust me..from family experience). Put up with whatever is currently going on at your job...and just keep applying to whatever few positions you find in ur area until you get lucky

John in Lake Zurich, Illinois said: What do you guys think the job outlook for pharmacists will be like in 2016?

great if your from illinois...dont move to a city just like everyone else has stated.

I still have difficulty understanding that so many new pharmacists just don't get it--the pharmacy job market is failing thanks to the over-saturation of new graDUATES FROM THE MONEY HUNGRY SCHOOLS!
What does it take to wake up and smell the coffee? Pharmacy is bad and getting worse! Wait till you see what this year brings! The Chains giving big bucks to the Pharmacy schools has succeeded in making Pharmacists a dime a dozen! And yet so many are still too blind to see!!! See how benevolent and altruistic the chains will be treating their employees. If you think pharmacists didn't get much respect last year, Wait till next year!! When you are not in demand and can be replaced immediately, you have to learn to grovel on the ground!!

Hey Guys,
I just left my P1 year at a top five rated pharmacy school. I've been working in both retail and hospital settings for 3 years, and have definately seen the trends. The last thing I wanted to to was leave school, but I seen where this profession is headed, and I wanted to get out while I can. This is all I'll say....
Year:
2000- 82 pharmacy schools
2005-92 pharmacy schools
2010-130 pharmacy schools
I believe 10-15 new programs are trying to open within the next 3 years

I really dont understand how this situation happened,why dont the pharmacy associations try to curb this by limiting the amt of pharmacy school but they seem to work willingly with the chain drug stores.The pharmacy association complain that no one seem to join maybe if they actually tried to protect the field instead of being the chain drug store's handmaidens we wouldnt be in this situation.

JohnDoe in Angola, New York said: Hey Guys,
I just left my P1 year at a top five rated pharmacy school. I've been working in both retail and hospital settings for 3 years, and have definately seen the trends. The last thing I wanted to to was leave school, but I seen where this profession is headed, and I wanted to get out while I can. This is all I'll say....
Year:
2000- 82 pharmacy schools
2005-92 pharmacy schools
2010-130 pharmacy schools
I believe 10-15 new programs are trying to open within the next 3 years

A sucker is born every day! Happy pill counting!!

I just graduated last year, had no problem getting a job, these people just want to to keep you away from pharmacy.

I graduated and now am in the highest tax bracket..not many jobs can say that...

KEEP OPENING MORE SCHOOLS!!! THE INTEREST IS THERE..

My job is stressfull, but thats why I make 100k+...

These people are a bunch of liars, stick with pharmacy its a great profession and 100k salary upon graduation!

I seen your other post you started TonyB about how pharmacy is exploding, and you welcome new schools to open up as much as they want....It's quite obvious you are neither a pharmacist or pharmacy student. You probably are that one person who keeps accusing us of being "a bunch of liars", and you just started a fake name. Considering you are saying the exact same thing the other screen name was..."bunch of liars"....Why in the world would I want to keep everyone away from pharmacy? I would be happy if everyone in the world was a pharmacist, and makes great money...The simple fact that you welcome new schools opening just shows you are a fake. Do you not remember that little thing called supply and demand? So, stop making up fake names and do some homework. Us people like myself who are were in pharmacy school, and know a hell of alot more about the field than you are only trying to help...If you still want to become a pharmacist and take your chances, I wish you the best of luck!

I have been in pharmacy over 35 years and have seen many trends. The trend I see now in two fold, first the number of "baby boomers" that has fueled the profession are beginning to dwindle, second the number of graduates is increasing tremendously.
In 2 to 6 years there will be a surplus and you will see wages drop and the treatment of pharmacist go down hill.
I, myself had to take a 10 percent cut in pay last year and a reduction in hours.
At the moment the situation is static but soon will change for the worse. The only thing we have is our demand and that is going away fast. When demand leaves the money hungry chains will increase work load and decrease help and wages. We will have NOTHING to negotiate with at all.
IT IS COMING!!!!!!

How right you are about trends being set against pharmacists. Supply and demand are the keys to every capitalistic market. Schools have already skewed the supply so badly that people are taking jobs in places they never would have even 3 yrs. ago. As for me I have been in pharmacy 34 yrs. and would advise all of you pre-pharm students to go into medicine. You will always be needed, you will have a hell of a lot more prestige and demand will always be on your side. To the guys my age,we had it made because we came along when the chains grew exponentially , salaries increased yearly and for a long time third party did not affect us. We were in great demand because of these circumstances. Now monetary pressures on employers as a result of poor third party payments have made working conditions horrible with no improvement in sight. In other words the golden age of pharmacy is gone forever except for the scoundrels that keep building new pharmacy schools. They will continue to line their pockets by suckering the ignorant into believing that pharmacy will always have a bright future.

How right you are about trends being set against pharmacists. Supply and demand are the keys to every capitalistic market. Schools have already skewed the supply so badly that people are taking jobs in places they never would have even 3 yrs. ago. As for me I have been in pharmacy 34 yrs. and would advise all of you pre-pharm students to go into medicine. You will always be needed, you will have a hell of a lot more prestige and demand will always be on your side. To the guys my age,we had it made because we came along when the chains grew exponentially , salaries increased yearly and for a long time third party did not affect us. We were in great demand because of these circumstances. Now monetary pressures on employers as a result of poor third party payments have made working conditions horrible with no improvement in sight. In other words the golden age of pharmacy is gone forever except for the scoundrels that keep building new pharmacy schools. They will continue to line their pockets by suckering the ignorant into believing that pharmacy will always have a bright future.

The future is stacked against the working pharmacist. A flood of new American graduates, foreign graduates, economic pressures on hospitals, registration of technicians, not to mention powerful new software, all will reduce the need for pharmacists. The aging population, and the increase of new medications are touted as producing a need, but mail order and increased computer capability will keep the demand in check. Pharmacy has never been able to break out of its shell and separate its knowledge base from the product. How can pharmacy demand respect when in most states they are the biggest distributors of cigarettes? The field has never even developed enough spine to relegate cigarette sales to supermarkets and convenience stores. And pharmacists can talk about "new" opportunities! They can't even separate themselves from crude vendors! What do the "high minded" pharmacy schools say about that!!

Let us here academics debate the future of pharmacy with current practicing pharmacists! They will not do it. They know best, and older pharmacists know nothing! If there is a field where experience counts for almost nothing, it is Pharmacy!!

I am a Pre-pharm student set to graduate in 2016. Should I get out while I can? Where can I go???

I would like some advice from working pharmacists.

Worried in Wallingford, Connecticut said: I am a Pre-pharm student set to graduate in 2016. Should I get out while I can? Where can I go???

I would like some advice from working pharmacists.

The job market is very bad, I'm not going to lie. It is very bad in Nashville where I live. With the economy and new schools opening up there is no telling what will happen. If the economy goes back to the way it was maybe there is still hope. I would go into nursing.After getting your BSN, you can always go back and do grad school to get your Master's. BSN+Master's=4 years, same amount of time you would spend in pharmacy school and most likely less amount of money also.

please get out before you waste money. I have been in it 30 yrs and wish every day that I Had done something else,Go to med school or pa school. There is just no more demand for the number of degrees being turned out.

please get out before you waste money. I have been in it 30 yrs and wish every day that I Had done something else,Go to med school or pa school. There is just no more demand for the number of degrees being turned out.

chancery in Atlanta, Georgia said: please get out before you waste money. I have been in it 30 yrs and wish every day that I Had done something else,Go to med school or pa school. There is just no more demand for the number of degrees being turned out.

Have you worked in retail your entire career as a pharmacist?

holmes in River Grove, Illinois said: Do not believe some of the lies being written here regarding lack of job opportunities for pharmacists. These liars are trying to scare people off from applying to pharmacy school because they fear that supply will overtake demand. Fact is, pharmacists make tons of money right out of school and there are and will be many job openings in the future. This is all just a feeble attempt to prevent people from entering this lucrative field. Liars!

It all depends on where you are from. If you are trying to get a job in an area that has 4 pharmacy schools in ti then you have problems.
That is my problem. I am a retail pharmacist that can't get a job and yes the money is great when you can find a job but when you have to depend on unemployment then you also have problems.

CALLING ALL PHARMACISTS OUT THERE!!!! WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND SAVE OUR PROFESSION!!!!!
New schools opening up are saturating the profession,lowering standards, and producing incompetent pharmacists!!! Let's all do something about it!

Here is AACP's email. If they get enough emails and concerns from pharmacists maybe something will happen. mail@aacp.org

Sorry I meant ACPE.....csinfo@acpe-accredit.org

heres another info@acpe-accredit.org

NO MORE JOB FOR RPH WITHOUT HOSPITAL EXP in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: I'VE BEEN APPLYING FOR JOB EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE PAST 10 MONTHS,I HAVEN'T GOT A SINGLE CALL EVEN FOR AN INTERVIEW
I'M PHARM.D, 5 YEARS RETAIL EXPERIENCE, NO HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE, LICENSED IN 2 STATES, MA AND PA
NOW, I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO START THINKING ABOUT OPENING MY OWN INDEPENDENT PHARMACY COZ I'LL GET LAID OFF IN LESS THAN A MONTH, I KNOW, IT'S GONNA BE BAD FOR MY PERSONAL LIFE BEING A WOMAN AND WORK 7 DAYS A WEEK LIKE THAT, BUT WHAT I CAN DO ?
MARRY A RICH HUSBAND THEN GO BACK TO SCHOOL ?? LOL...

I am sorry to hear about the challenges of finding a job- I went per diem 2 years ago first after a back injury and then to start a family-now I'm back in the market looking for a job- I am thinking the same thing of opening up my own independent pharmacy after searching for months- in fact, there are pharmacies on sale/discounted prices right now due to the economy. I'm floating through a few independents now- it's hard-keeping afloat-constant competition- we just lost another nursing home contract to the pharmacy down the street (heard they were offering free diapers). Keep your chin up! You will find your niche!

I'm still waiting for some ivory tower professorial type to tell me why pharmacists are some of the biggest vendors of cigarettes! Is this putting the health of the customer first? These are the same people who are telling you that pharmacy has a great future! Based on what facts? Look at the job market. The only pharmacist data available is provided by a school of Pharmacy in California. If u think they are not biased, I have a bridge I would like to sell u in Brooklyn!!

I will be selling drugs, in about a week, why should those gangbangers, AND CFO'S of WAGS. make all the money, why with all my post ed. ...why do I have to starve while these grammar school dropouts make ALL THE cash, tax-free, and bonuses. look out gov.org. you so long have not/don't care how much we have paid in blood,sweat and tears for our higher ed., now I know the rules...join (me and the others) we are going to scam and scram. all the way to the bank. HA. HA. HA

Tony B PharmD RPH in Dallas, Texas said: I just graduated last year, had no problem getting a job, these people just want to to keep you away from pharmacy.

I graduated and now am in the highest tax bracket..not many jobs can say that...

KEEP OPENING MORE SCHOOLS!!! THE INTEREST IS THERE..

My job is stressfull, but thats why I make 100k+...

These people are a bunch of liars, stick with pharmacy its a great profession and 100k salary upon graduation!

looking for work recovering pharmacist from ga will work as pharm tech kan u help

CALLING ALL PHARMACIST: I am currently studying pharmacy technology. Upon graduating, I would like to go on and strive to become a pharmacist. I've done research, however, I need a clear understanding of which road I should take, after recieving my associates, to becoming a pharmacist. I am confused. I know that I should know this type of information. I have a 6 year old son, I recently entered college 1 year ago (to date) at the age of 21. I know that I can do it!..but I need a little guidance. Please inform me!!! Thanks

I agree to blame the current job market trend on the exponential growth of pharmacy schools over recent years but to some extent the economy. Do you feel there is a legal case against your pharmacy school considering if you are a recent graduate? Especially if you paid private school tuition? These schools should be accountable if they were contributing to the growth and if it is evident that they have capitalized over these recent years but fail to show their qraduates are employed. So if you are a recent graduate.. check your institution to determine their percentage of employment after graduation.. Would bet there has been some disturbing downward trends... And if so can there be tuition reimbursement?

reaching for the stars said: CALLING ALL PHARMACIST: I am currently studying pharmacy technology. Upon graduating, I would like to go on and strive to become a pharmacist. I've done research, however, I need a clear understanding of which road I should take, after recieving my associates, to becoming a pharmacist. I am confused. I know that I should know this type of information. I have a 6 year old son, I recently entered college 1 year ago (to date) at the age of 21. I know that I can do it!..but I need a little guidance. Please inform me!!! Thanks

You need to take your prerequisites first - General Chemistry I & II with labs, Organic Chemistry I & II with labs, Physics I & II with labs, Biology I & II with labs, Calculus I (some schools Calculus II), Anatomy & Physiology I & II. Then take the PCAT and try for pharmacy school. Many of my classmates had young kids in pharmacy school.

As a recruiter for Pharmacist and Physicians, I have seen the best years of recruiting and these are definitely the worst. Too many hospitals have closed down and too many schools have opened up. I used to tell everyone to send there kids to pharmacy school, but I never expected the conditions that we are experiencing right now. There are many students who are graduating with $150K worth of debt and they are having trouble finding a job. Hospital used to hire retail experienced pharmacists and train them and now they are requiring hospital experienced pharmacists for their positions.

If you are in school, I strongly recommend that you stay an additional year or 2 and get you PGY1 and if possible PGY2 residencies. These are what you need to get the edge. There are jobs in pharmacy, but competition is ferocious for those with a standard PharmD. Everyone who graduates now has the same degree and there are a lot of them. If you enjoy hospital pharmacy work and you want to stand out and be guaranteed a job...stay in school and complete a Residency.

The problem is that retail pharmacies are not growing like the used to and many have reduced their hiring. As a result, less jobs are being fought over by a much larger group of pharmacists. 4 or 5 years ago, students would graduate with multiple offers in hand because retail was competing to get the pharmacist from hospitals. Now with less hiring from retail facilities, less competition, more schools and more students graduating, the market is oversaturated. Hospitals tell me (jokingly) that they have so many applicants waiting in line for positions that they can give me some of their people.

visit my website at AmherstHealthcare.com or if you are a licensed pharmacist with Clinical Pharmacist experience, email me at iinokon@AmherstHealthcare.com

To all those considering pharmacy I would take a page from my book and go in another direction. I love the profession but I spent $150k on school (mba too but never finished, now too much debt to go back so it's like $200k now) and when I graduated I could have gone anywhere, but foolishly I took a risky sales job. I just didn't want to tech anymore and I had no business experience! $8000 sign on from cvs, wegmans, walgreen's they were all interested but I made up my mind and was confident after being told the pharmacist shortage lie by all my teachers. Now I have been exhausting every avenue imaginable, begging old teachers for phone #'s, calling old friends/classmates - if I fill out another on Taleo I will go cross-eyed. My point is, is that this will NEVER get better because schools won't close or shrink soon enough, salaries will drop to a joke as technology streamlines dispensing, and what's worse - is that a foreign grad will 9 times out of 10 agree to work for less (no offense to anyone but when every pharmacist in my town has a heavy accent I question the "we're churning out too many pharmacists" theory). Anyways, I am lost and after reading this have very little hope for myself. I guess I will ride out unemployment for awhile and am getting licensed in NY, but again I'm sure it's not much better! My hope is that pre-pharm students make the easy switch at most schools to pre-med, engineering, phys assistant, hell I'd rather be in social work than $200k in debt with no hope of ever paying it off.

I agree with Dave. If you insist on pursuing an education that will leave you in that much debt, I recommend Med School. There are a tremendous amount of jobs available in that area. Do some research and choose a specialty that you enjoy. Check out FindPhysicianJobs.net The jobs are not up to date, but there are a ton of them available and you have much more potential to make a lot more money, not to mention loan repayment programs, etc. Just make sure that you aren't choosing the easiest area that everyone else is trying to get into.

Pharmacy is a 6 year program, it isn't that much more to go to Med School. I also recruit for physician assistants and there is a lot of demand in that area. Nurse Practitioner is another area that you may want to consider as the shortage in that area is very high and the salaries are amazing. Nursing as a whole is an area I recommend as I am told my employers that there is a high shortage in that profession as a whole. If you choose nursing, I recommend staying in school and getting your MSN. There are many more opportunities that will become available if you get your Masters in Nursing. Visit FindNursingJobsOnline.com for more information.

I am overwhelmed about the number of jobs available in Physical Therapy. Especially jobs for Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists. Check out AllTherapistJobs.com to get more information on this.

The bottom line is there are jobs in healthcare, just not in pharmacy. If you are already in Pharmacy School and about to graduate, apply to a Residency program and get a PGY1 or go for 2 years and get a PGY2. If you have a PGY1 or PGY2 Residency or are a hosptal pharmacy manager or director of pharmacy with strong hospital experience visit AmherstHealthcare.com or email me at iinokon@AmherstHealthcare.com

I graduated last year, had to problem getting a job. These people are a bunch of liars.

Stick with pharmacy and be in the highest tax bracket upon graduation >100K+

You all are in a job seeking site, just type in pharmacist and see how many jobs pop up. If you are willing to relocate you are fine.

Its these pharmacist that graduated who are b*tching now, they are the hypocrites that went to these diploma mills, now they are saying there are too many pharmacy schools.

I went to a new school that opened up, and I GOT A JOB AND I MAKE >100K.

AND BY THE WAY YOU CAN SAY AND EMAIL WHO YOU WANT, THAT WILL NEVER STOP PEOPLE FROM APPLYING AND SCHOOLS OPENING UP, IF THE INTEREST IS THERE, THEY WILL KEEP POPPING UP....SO KEEP B*TCHING IT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING!!!

Gina in Frisco, Texas said: You all are in a job seeking site, just type in pharmacist and see how many jobs pop up. If you are willing to relocate you are fine.

Its these pharmacist that graduated who are b*tching now, they are the hypocrites that went to these diploma mills, now they are saying there are too many pharmacy schools.

I went to a new school that opened up, and I GOT A JOB AND I MAKE >100K.

AND BY THE WAY YOU CAN SAY AND EMAIL WHO YOU WANT, THAT WILL NEVER STOP PEOPLE FROM APPLYING AND SCHOOLS OPENING UP, IF THE INTEREST IS THERE, THEY WILL KEEP POPPING UP....SO KEEP B*TCHING IT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING!!!

This is the same statement that was stated before so what I think you are doing is using a new name,the question is why are you doing this??