Most Recent Updated Pharmacist Job Statistics For 2023
The most recent pharmacy jobs survey with the latest statistics available was just released and there's a lot of good signs when comparing them against the US Department of Labor (Bureau of Labor Statistics) that comes out in early February of each year. The independent third-party survey regarding the state of the current job market for pharmacists shows some interesting results when one is considering pharmacy as a career. For those already practicing in the pharmacy profession, it also may help to clarify what segment of the industry a pharmacist should consider practicing in as a future career path. For many this may mean getting the required training and experience now that may help them to be in the best possible position for a more lucrative job in the future.
National Pharmacist Survey And Job Statistics To Start Off The New Year (2023)
The survey had 754 respondents this year and centered on important staffing and workplace issues, from job satisfaction, to workload, to workplace stress and more. Eighty percent of the pharmacists surveyed said that they worked full-time, with just over twenty percent each working in independent pharmacy, chain pharmacy, or hospital pharmacy:
- Independent pharmacy: 20.5%
- Chain pharmacy: 21.4%
- Hospital pharmacy: 21.5%
Several Key Points From The Pharmacist Job Survey
The first thing to note is that there continues to be an annual increase in the number of pharmacist jobs and positions across the entire nation as we’ve previously been seeing over the past two decades. Although we all still will have to wait for the 2023 US Department of Labor annual report for concrete figures (note that last year it was released on February 4th), the survey results indicate that the annual percentage increase of new jobs available for pharmacists has perhaps finally leveled out. As we discussed last February, the trend has been that the annual percentage increase of new jobs available for pharmacists had been slowing down each year for over seven years in a row. Yet we all need to keep in mind that while there may have been a "slow-down" of the growth previously, an estimated 13,000 new openings for pharmacists are still being projected each year over the next decade. This annual increase of new job opportunities has been going on for well over a decade now and according to the US Department of Labor (USDL) will continue until 2030. Based on the continuing increase in life expectancy and the growing geriatric population in the United States, the increased demand for prescription drugs will obviously lead to an increase in the demand for pharmacists and thus more jobs.
The second point of interest is that, despite the continued COVID-19 pandemic or the increased workload pressures that the pharmacy talent faced, almost 30% (29.4%) of all pharmacists responding indicated that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their current job position. This number is really not much different than the pre-COVID pandemic numbers seen on the past annual surveys. That's extremely good news for current employers when looking at projected turnover rates and retention strategies for their existing staffing talent in 2023.
Lastly was the survey's statistic that, for those who indicated that they are not satisfied with their current position, almost forty percent (38.4%) of respondents said they are considering a job change within the next year or 12 months. The five reasons most cited for those considering a job change in 2023 were:
1.) Dissatisfaction with their current job: 46.3%
2.) Income/pay: 28.2%
3.) Challenges with professional advancement: 19.5%
4.) Geographic location: 10.0%
5.) Lack of job security: 9.0%
For those who felt satisfied with their current job position, the reasons included the addition of technology support, increased staffing, an improved workplace environment, and more employer-sponsored training put in place.
Interestingly to some is the fact that less than thirty percent (28.2%) noted salary as the primary motivating force behind pharmacists considering a job change in 2023. It should perhaps also be noted that pharmacist's workloads have also increased in the past year, according to over seventy-five percent (75.8%) of respondents, which is perhaps another reason for any workplace dissatisfaction that's currently seen in the profession. Yet many may find a "silver lining" in the fact that when "one door closes, another door opens" - meaning that there will be numerous job opportunities for the right talent to choose from in the coming year, and perhaps it's simply an adjustment of an individual pharmacist's skills and/or lifestyle preferences that are dictating the survey's projected turnover numbers.
Are Too Many Pharmacists Graduating Annually In The US?
Although the survey statistics indicate a slight increase in the total number of jobs for pharmacists annually in the United States, many staffing experts had shared their concerns that the number of new pharmacy graduates will at some point outpace any job growth. In the US, the number of pharmacy graduates had previously been "exploding" due to the significant increase in the number of Pharmacy schools that offer a degree in Pharmacy. In 1987 there were a total of only 72 accredited pharmacy schools in the US. In 2014, according to the AACP (American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy) there were 130 accredited pharmacy colleges across the nation, which rose to 141 in 2020. The growth of new accredited pharmacy colleges in the US has become quite "stagnant" the past two years with only one being added to make a 2023 total of 141.
Many industry staffing experts had feared that due to the laws of supply and demand, salaries for pharmacists in certain settings and/or regions of the country would at some point have to adjust and begin to decline. This year's survey results seem to contradict this. Once again, we all still will have to wait for the 2023 US Department of Labor annual report to get actual concrete figures.
About Healthcare Consultants Pharmacy Staffing
If you are a pharmacy owner or manager, HCC Pharmacy Staffing can find you the best qualified talent (both pharmacists and technicians) available to meet your needs in almost every situation. With over three decades of experience in pharmacy staffing, HCC is known nationally for being able to match the right candidate to the right job, and for well over three decades now, HCC has been providing temporary staffing for pharmacies in all 50 states, as well as providing relief pharmacy staffing during emergency situations. We work with owners, HR departments, and pharmacy managers of every type and size of pharmacy business and operation, from the small independent retail community pharmacies to the large national pharmacy groups. We are therefore able to meet almost every individual pharmacy's specific needs when it comes to finding the right staffing talent, including specialty pharmacies. If you're interested in finding out how HCC can help your pharmacy business meet your specific staffing needs, then call us today at (800) 642-1652, or simply fill out our easy-to-use online form now, and an experienced, in-house HCC staffing expert will get back to you as soon as possible.
The same is true if you are a pharmacist or pharmacy technician who's interested in changing your current job position and exploring new professional opportunities and settings to practice in. With current job openings and exciting opportunities available throughout the US, HCC Pharmacy Staffing can help you to find the best possible jobs available to match your specific individual lifestyle needs and work requirements. Whatever market segment that a pharmacist or tech is looking to work in, we can help! If you are a pharmacist looking to switch jobs or relocate, we urge you to talk with us. With positions immediately available, contact us today online or call us at 800-642-1652 now to get started.
