What can you do with a Pharmacy degree?

First, some facts. Of the Pharmacy graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 239 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Pharmacy graduates have a much higher likelihood (+11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 78%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 71% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Pharmacy graduate.

See the details:

View a random Pharmacy graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 83%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2015 from Ege University with a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Pharmacy Technician
Paoli Pharmacy
Jul 2017 - Feb 2019
The role of Pharmacy Technician at Paoli Pharmacy directly utilizes the skills and knowledge acquired through a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, as it involves dispensing medications and patient care responsibilities.

Pharmacy Technician
Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Feb 2020 - Oct 2021
The position of Pharmacy Technician at Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System requires extensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and patient interactions, both of which are core components of a Pharmacy degree.

Pharmacy Intern
Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Aug 2020 - Oct 2021
As a Pharmacy Intern at Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, the role demands the application of pharmacy-related skills and knowledge, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy.

Field Reimbursement Specialist- Rheumatology
Cencora | Pharma solutions
May 2022 - Present
The role of Field Reimbursement Specialist in Rheumatology at Cencora | Pharma solutions may benefit from pharmacy-related knowledge, but it focuses more on reimbursement processes rather than direct pharmaceutical care, making it less relevant overall.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Saint Joseph's University
2020 - 2024
ABOUT

Experienced Field Reimbursement Manager with an MBA and RPH degree, blending healthcare expertise with business acumen. Skilled in optimizing reimbursement processes including buy and bill process to ensure patient access to vital treatments.

What jobs can you get with a Pharmacy degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When analyzing the career paths of individuals who have graduated with a degree in Pharmacy, it becomes clear that many of them have pursued roles that are closely aligned with their educational background. A significant trend is the prevalence of positions such as pharmacists, pharmacy interns, clinical pharmacists, and roles associated with regulatory affairs and quality control. These positions directly utilize the pharmaceutical knowledge and skills gained during their studies, highlighting the relevance of their degree in practical settings.

Many graduates find themselves working as pharmacists, either in retail settings like CVS or Kroger, or in clinical environments such as hospitals. These roles typically require extensive use of knowledge about medications, patient care, and pharmacotherapy, all of which are core components of pharmacy education. For instance, positions like Clinical Pharmacy Specialist or Staff Pharmacist demand not just foundational knowledge but also the ability to apply this knowledge in real-time, supporting patient health through effective medication management. Furthermore, individuals pursuing residencies confirm the advanced application of their educational training, often transitioning into significant roles within healthcare systems.

However, it’s also notable that a portion of graduates has taken paths that diverge from traditional pharmacy roles. Some have entered fields like marketing, sales, or data analysis, where the connection to pharmacy is more tenuous. Jobs such as business development managers and customer service representatives, while drawing on general skills learned during their education, do not utilize pharmacy-specific knowledge regularly. This trend suggests that while many pharmacy graduates land relevant positions, others find themselves in roles that, although potentially rewarding, may not leverage their specialized education effectively.

In summary, the majority of jobs held by individuals with a Pharmacy degree are indeed relevant to their educational qualifications, especially in clinical and community pharmacy settings. Yet, the variety of career paths illustrates that some graduates move into less relevant roles, where they may not fully utilize their specialized training. This indicates a dynamic job market where pharmacy graduates can explore a range of possibilities, although their education is most pertinent in traditional pharmacy practice roles.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Pharmacy graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Pharmacy graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we take a look at the career trajectories of pharmacy graduates from various colleges, it's pretty clear that these individuals have diverse paths post-graduation, with some strong trends emerging. Most notably, for those who recently graduated—like the ones from 2020 onwards—they often start their careers in roles such as pharmacy interns or pharmacy technicians. These entry-level positions are important stepping stones that allow them to gain invaluable hands-on experience in the pharmacy environment. It's a practical way to jump into the workforce right after school, and it seems like many graduates are indeed following that route.

Fast forward five years or so, and we see an interesting mix. Some alumni remain in the pharmacy field, climbing the ranks to positions like clinical pharmacists, pharmacy managers, or even specialized pharmacists in various healthcare settings. This reflects a solid and upward trajectory, especially for those who pursued residencies after graduating. On the flip side, there are others who have shifted gears entirely, moving into roles that might seem unrelated to pharmacy. This might include positions in administration, research, or even teaching at university levels. It's important to note that while some graduates have built very successful careers in the pharmacy realm, others might not be utilizing their pharmacy education to its fullest potential, with many landing jobs that, while respectable, diverge from direct pharmaceutical practice.

Overall, the pharmacy job market appears fairly robust with many graduates eventually settling into roles that fit well within their field. However, there remains a significant number of individuals whose early jobs may not align directly with their education in pharmacy. Whether they grow back into pharmacy-focused roles over time or find success in other fields can vary greatly and often depends on individual ambition and adaptability. The data seems to suggest that while pharmacy graduates have some good options right out of school, their long-term success in the field can be quite mixed.

How hard is a Pharmacy degree?

Getting a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy can be quite challenging, definitely tougher than your average degree. You'll be diving deep into subjects like chemistry, biology, and pharmacology, which require a solid understanding of complex concepts and often a lot of memorization. Plus, there's a hefty amount of lab work that adds to the workload. But hey, if you’re passionate about the science behind medicines and enjoy problem-solving, it can actually be pretty rewarding! Just be prepared for a rigorous course load and make sure you're ready to put in the time and effort to keep up with everything.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy.

Do Pharmacy graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these pharmacy graduates, it seems like their financial success varies quite a bit depending on their specific roles and experiences. For example, the graduates working as pharmacists or in specialized roles like pharmacy managers typically earn decent salaries, often starting in the six figures after gaining experience and responsibilities. This is particularly true for those who have completed residencies, as those positions usually lead to higher-paying jobs. However, many others have spent significant time in internships or entry-level positions, which generally pay less, indicating a slower start in their earnings.

Also, some graduates have pursued research or academic roles, which might not be as lucrative as clinical pharmacy positions but can still offer stable salaries depending on the institution. On the flip side, there are individuals who have made choices that lead them to less stable or lower-paying jobs. Ultimately, those who stayed in traditional pharmacy roles or advanced to managerial or specialized positions seem to be in a better financial spot, while others are still working their way up or exploring different career paths that may not offer the best initial compensation.

What buzzwords do Pharmacy graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Pharmacy?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy (ordered by the average relevance score of their Pharmacy graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count