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From working behind the glass at your local pharmacy to preparing medication for patients in a hospital, being a pharmacist offers a variety of pathways. The career is also well-compensated, earning six figures on average.
There are a lot of steps a high school student must take, however, before they don the ubiquitous white coat , including many years of schooling. However, with proper planning and an understanding of the requirements necessary to become a pharmacist, students can expedite the time required in college and get a jump start on their career.
The majority of pharmacists work in commercial operations such as drug, grocery, and big-box stores. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 42% of pharmacists work in pharmacies and drugstores. Pharmacists in these settings fulfill many duties, including the safe dispersal of medication (for example, ensuring it won’t interfere with a patient’s other meds or allergies), educating patients about medication, and overseeing a staff of pharmacy technicians and aides.
The other primary employers of pharmacists are hospitals; the BLS reports that they employ 26% of the people working in the occupation. As the US population continues to age, the need for pharmacists in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, is anticipated to grow. Pharmacists working in hospitals also fulfill a multitude of roles—they prepare medication for patients, advise staff on medication options, and educate patients about medications and how to use them.
Due to the importance of their position and the vast amount of training required to attain it, pharmacists are well compensated. In 2020, the BLS announced that the average pharmacist earned $128,710 annually. The region a pharmacist works in and the amount of experience they have will affect their earnings.
There are two common paths that students follow toward a career as a pharmacist. One path is through a traditional undergraduate program. Students choosing this course spend at least two years studying as an undergraduate, but most will earn a 4-year bachelor’s degree to be a competitive applicant to graduate pharmacy programs and complete all pre-requisite courses.
The other path is a combined—or dual degree—program, where you earn both your bachelor’s degree and PharmD over the course of the program. Dual degree pharmacy programs are also commonly referred to as “0-6” programs because they typically last six years; the first two years are spent on pre-professional study and are followed by four years in a professional pharmacy degree program.
The benefit of these programs is two-fold: one, students don’t need to take the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test), and students get their PharmD on an accelerated timeline. If a student gets an undergrad degree first, it’ll take them 8 years to get a PharmD (4 years undergrad, 4 years PharmD), versus the 6 years of a dual degree program. Keep in mind that many students complete 1-2 years of residency after their PharmD, making the total amount of time to become a full-fledged pharmacist 9-10 years on the traditional path, or 7-8 years on the accelerated one.
Similar to “0-6” programs are early assurance programs, where students usually apply in high school and are guaranteed admission into a PharmD program on completion of the undergraduate requirements. These programs may or may not be on an accelerated timeline, but the main benefit is guaranteed acceptance into pharmacy school as a high schooler, so students also don’t have to worry about taking the PCAT and applying to PharmD programs.