How to Become a Pharmacist?

Are you thinking of becoming a Pharmacist or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Pharmacist, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Pharmacist job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.

Steps to Become a Pharmacist

If you're considering starting your Pharmacist career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Pharmacist and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Pharmacist career.
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1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Pharmacist career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Pharmacist internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Pharmacist, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Pharmacist field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Pharmacist specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as a Pharmacist

Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Pharmacist. In general, you can become a Pharmacist after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Pharmacist role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certificate of foreign equivalency.
4

Advance in Your Pharmacist Career

Following entry-level, there are several Pharmacist career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Pharmacist to progress to the next seniority level position. Each advanced Pharmacist position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Pharmacist career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Pharmacist career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Pharmacist Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Pharmacist career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Bachelor's Degree typically make $180,069 compared to $82,913 for those without that type of degree.

We don't have enough career path data for Pharmacist jobs. Below are job titles that share similar skill sets.

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Pharmacist Career Path

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Related Careers in the Healthcare Industry

Interested in other Healthcare careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Pharmacist skills. Discover some of the most common Pharmacist career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Floater Pharmacist
No skills overlap
11% transitioned to Floater Pharmacist