Pharmacist Salaries
Pharmacist salaries are always an important consideration when an R.Ph. is considering a job change. Although everyone agrees that it should not be the only consideration, salary is obviously a primary topic of discussion when it comes to the subjects of permanent placement or direct hire with both our clients and pharmacist candidates. It is a commonly known fact that pharmacy is one of the premiere professions in the nation in regards to the starting salary for graduates with degrees. According to the statistics provided in 2014 by the US Department of Labor there are approximately 300,000 pharmacist jobs in the United States with an annual median pay of $121,500. With a projected 10 year growth rate of roughly 3%, the pharmacy profession will continue to see a steady increase in regards to salaries. However, with HealthCare Consultants Pharmacy Staffing being a national leader in permanent placement, pharmacist recruitment and direct hire in all 50 states, we feel that it is important to note that a decision based solely on annual salary can be very misleading when candidates for pharmacist positions are evaluating their options and opportunities. Along with median pharmacist salaries, evaluation of job opportunities should also include various other considerations such as the regional cost of living, state licensure requirements, pharmacist demand, plus geography and location, to name just a few. Since HCC is headquartered in Central Florida, many of our pharmacists have stated that they would accept a reduction in salary as compared to their counterparts located in the Northeast or Midwestern states -where winter storms and extremely cold weather both present a challenge to their lifestyles.
Why Pharmacists Change Jobs
Interestingly enough, a lower salary and compensation are NOT the primary reason that a pharmacist will switch employers. There is an old saying "that people don't change jobs, they change bosses", but even that doesn't seem true any more these days. According to a research study on LinkedIn in 2015, here are the five (5) top reasons that employees change jobs and switch companies:1. Lack of opportunities for advancement at current position (45%)2. Dissatisfaction with leadership and/or upper management (41%)3. Unsatisfied with the work culture and environment (36%)4. Dissatisfied with the salary and compensation (34%)5. Unsatisfied with the rewards and/or recognition of the employee's contributionsThe staggering conclusion is that only approximately one-third (34%) switched because of money and pay!
Pharmacist Salaries By City and State
Even though most will agree without the LinkedIn study referenced above, salary alone is not perhaps the only consideration, yet it does help put things in perspective to take a look at pharmacist salary trends across the USA. As rated by Value Penguin (perhaps the national leader in economic data and industry trend evaluations), here are the best paying cities in the nation based on annual median salary for pharmacists (Value Penguin analyzed median salaries in 396 cities based on the data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2014):1. Santa Cruz, California - $165,0002. Gadsden, Alabama3. Fresno, California4. Chico, California5. Oxford, Alabama6. Santa Barbara, California7. Modesto, California8. Brownsville, Texas9. Dalton, Georgia10. San Jose, California11. Lake Havasu City, Arizona12. Redding, California13. Odessa, Texas14. San Francisco, California15. Oakland, California16. Bakersfield, California17. Corcoran, California18. Yuba City, California19. Merced, California20. Portsmouth, New Hampshire21. Petaluma, California22. Napa, California23. El Centro, California24. Laredo, Texas25. Longview, Texas - $135,000Again, as rated by Value Penguin, here are the lowest paying cities in the USA based on annual median salary for pharmacists:1. Hot Springs, Arkansas - $105,5002. Lafayette, Indiana3. Cedar Rapids, Iowa4. Millville, New Jersey5. Dubuque, Iowa6. Little Rock, Arkansas7. Sarasota, Florida8. Ann Arbor, Michigan9. Warner Robins, Georgia10. Ames, Iowa11. Iowa City, Iowa12. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania13. Colombus, Indiana14. Cdar Falls, Iowa15. Gaunesville, Florida16. Lima, Ohio17. Misooula, Montana18. Savannah, Georgia19. Erie, Pennsylvania20. Lincoln, Nebraska21. Omaha, Nebraska22. Mayaguez, Puerto Rico23. Des Moines, Iowa24. San Jaun, Puerto Rico25. San Sebastian, Puerto Rico - $46,500There are obviously some interesting results that can be seen from the lists:- Of the top 25 cities by annual salary for pharmacists, 17 are located in California. Perhaps the lack of license reciprocation by California plus the requirement of a PharmD degree in the state are leading to this increased salary.- Georgia made both the highest and the lowest city lists.- The only state in the north that made the list of top 25 cities by salary for pharmacists was New Hampshire. Otherwise the entire list was dominated by the sunbelt and southern states.
How Does a Pharmacist Find the "Perfect" Job Opportunity Available?
HealthCare Consultants Pharmacy Staffing has been a national leader in regards to pharmacy recruitment, placement and staffing services for over 28 years. HCC is nationally renowned for a history of matching the right pharmacist to the right employer and job in every type of situation. This includes permanent and long term placements in all 50 states. We also can help with temp-to-permanent situations.Whatever setting a pharmacist is looking to work in and whatever special needs a pharmacy may be searching for, HCC can help. Our pharmacy positions and staffing availability cover all aspects of job types: retail, hospital, clinical and specialty pharmacies. We offer solutions for almost every type of pharmacy job you may be looking for, or every type of pharmacist you may require:– Compounding pharmacy and pharmacist– Nursing Home & Long Term Care pharmacy and pharmacist– Institutional (prisons and jails) pharmacy and pharmacist– Hospice pharmacy and pharmacist– Mail-order pharmacy and pharmacist– Home health pharmacy and pharmacist– Respiratory pharmacy and pharmacist– IV pharmacy and pharmacist– Nuclear pharmacy and pharmacist– Home infusion pharmacy and pharmacistIf you are a pharmacy requiring permanent staffing help or a pharmacist looking for a new position, HCC Pharmacy Staffing can help. We have a professional in-house staff of consultants who can find you the right pharmacist or job to match your needs, whether it be in a retail, hospital or a specialty pharmacy area. Contact us today online or call us at 800-642-1652 to get started.