Pharmacists are in high demand, and the field is growing. But what happens when you’re ready to move on? Pharmacists are great at a lot of different things, and there are lots of careers you can pursue once you’ve finished your training.
Here are some alternative careers for pharmacists that you might not have considered:
-Doctor: If you’ve been working as a pharmacist for a while, it might be time to consider becoming a doctor. There’s an incredible demand for qualified pharmacists who want to move into medical school programs, and becoming an MD is one of the most lucrative careers in healthcare today.
-Business Owner: If you love managing people and projects and thrive on being responsible for your own success, this might be the perfect change for you. You’ll still have plenty of opportunities to interact with patients and their families on a daily basis—but this time around, instead of just handing them medicine and sending them home, you’ll be helping them solve real problems that affect their lives and livelihoods every day.
-Entrepreneur: Being an entrepreneur is all about taking risks and making decisions based on instinct and intuition rather than past experience or traditional wisdom—something that pharmacists do all
Alternative Careers For Pharmacists 2021
1. Pharmaceutical research technician
National average salary: $40,248 per year
Primary duties: Pharmaceutical research technicians assist doctors, veterinarians or scientists with the research and development of new or existing medications. They often supervise experiments, document laboratory results, maintain records and test for different compounds. Pharmaceutical research technicians also ensure a clean lab environment.
2. Laboratory technician
National average salary: $49,793 per year
Primary duties: A laboratory technician is a person who performs various procedures in a laboratory setting. They maintain equipment, ensure a clean workspace and help lead scientists with different experiments. Laboratory technicians also analyze samples and conduct laboratory testing based on standard procedures.
Related: Learn About Being a Lab Technician
3. Medical science liaison
National average salary: $66,167 per year
Primary duties: Medical science liaisons act as scientific peers in the medical community. They ensure a product gets used properly and provide scientific expertise to their colleagues. Medical science liaisons also maintain communication and relationships with academic researchers, attend conferences and engage in discussions on drug therapies and diseases.
4. Clinical research coordinator
National average salary: $68,881 per year
Primary duties: Clinical research coordinators administer clinical trials under the supervision of a clinical research manager. They manage and conduct clinical trials, gather data, let participants know about a study’s objective and administer questionnaires.
Related: Learn How To Become a Clinical Research Coordinator
5. Medical writer
National average salary: $70,844 per year
Primary duties: A medical writer creates scientific papers such as research- or drug-related documents and literature or content for medical or healthcare websites. They write and edit their medical writing deliverables and work alongside scientists or doctors.
6. Pharmaceutical sales representative
National average salary: $75,327 per year
Primary duties: Pharmaceutical sales representatives sell their company’s pharmaceutical products. They educate medical professionals on these products and on how these drugs, devices and treatments can meet their patients’ needs. Pharmaceutical sales representatives also help medical professionals see how their products differ from that of their competitors.
7. Medical representative
National average salary: $77,813 per year
Primary duties: Medical representatives sell their company’s various products including its pharmaceutical drugs or medical equipment. They travel to different locations and contact potential customers at healthcare facilities like hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. Medical representatives often arrange appointments with hospital medical teams to share their company’s products.
8. Clinical research associate
National average salary: $97,140 per year
Primary duties: A clinical research associate manages clinical trials and studies related to pharmaceutical and biotechnological products, drugs and procedures. They perform research to ensure the safety of these products on the market.
9. Research scientist
National average salary: $107,617 per year
Primary duties: Research scientists design and analyze information in laboratory investigations, trials and experiments. They plan and conduct experiments, write grant proposals, complete funding applications and work alongside team members and support staff.
10. Regulatory affairs manager
National average salary: $107,783 per year
Primary duties: Regulatory affairs managers ensure companies remain compliant with rules and regulations set by different regulatory agencies. They oversee the regulation process, create procedures to verify compliance and coordinate company inspections.
