Pharmacy is a rewarding career but it’s hard to find those jobs. Although we don’t have details yet, it looks like the best countries for pharmacy jobs are the United States and Canada. In fact, all of these countries which top our list of best places to work in pharmacy are part North America aside from one European country.
Find out more about pharmacy jobs, where is the highest demand for pharmacists, which country pays pharmacists the most, scope of pharmacy in foreign countries on careerkeg.com
If you’re considering a job in pharmacy, you might be wondering where the best jobs are. After all, there are many factors to consider when choosing a career path: salary, location, and work environment all play a part in determining whether or not a job is right for you.
So what’s the best country for pharmacy jobs? You may be surprised! Here are some of the top countries that have great employment opportunities in pharmacy:
United States: The U.S. has over 1 million pharmacists working in every state across the country. In fact, it has the highest number of pharmacists per capita in the world! That means there are plenty of opportunities available for aspiring pharmacists who want to break into this market.
Italy: Italy is home to some of the most advanced pharmacies in Europe and has some of the best-trained pharmacists on the continent. This makes Italy a great place for aspiring pharmacists looking for an opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced professionals in their field.
Spain: Spain is another great option for aspiring pharmacists who want to get their feet wet before diving into more advanced studies abroad or working at an international company overseas later down the line.
Best Countries For Pharmacy Jobs
If you’re a pharmacist and thinking about living abroad, there are many options for countries that offer exciting and lucrative opportunities. Here are some of the best options:
Canada
You might be surprised to learn that Canada is a great place for pharmacy jobs. The country’s high demand for pharmacists has led to some of the most lucrative salaries in the world, and Canadian pharmacists are well respected and well compensated.
Canada also offers an excellent quality of life. Its pristine environment, diverse culture, and low crime rate make it an ideal place to raise a family. And with some of the highest standards of healthcare available anywhere in the world—including universal health care coverage—you can rest assured that your family will always have access to top-notch medical services if they need them.
Additionally, there are two excellent pharmacy schools located in Canada: University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy (SUNY) School Of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences; University Of British Columbia School Of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Australia
Australia has a shortage of pharmacists and is looking for qualified individuals to fill the gap. Pharmacists are in high demand, as there are many opportunities to work in remote areas. Pharmacy graduates also earn more than other professions, and they receive support from the government to help them get their start. You can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, public health departments or private companies that sell pharmaceuticals.
Japan
While the prospect of working in Japan is enticing, it should be noted that you will have to learn Japanese. Although it’s possible to get a job without speaking the language, communication can be challenging and your career options will be limited.
You’ll also need to pass the Japanese pharmacy exam if you want to work as a pharmacist. This is a rigorous test that requires fluency with both written and spoken Japanese as well as an understanding of pharmaceuticals and their terminology. The exam tests students on their knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacy practice management, clinical pharmacy, business administration and other fields relevant to pharmacists.
While this may sound like an easy feat for those who already speak some form of Japanese (or other Asian languages), remember that not all dialects are equal when it comes to understanding medical terminology—and this is especially true when it comes down to translating between English or Americanized words versus their original Asian counterparts!
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is an excellent country for pharmacy jobs. The unemployment rate is low and the standard of living is high, making it a desirable location for many people looking for work. Pharmacies in the Netherlands are open from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Pharmacies are closed on weekends and holidays.
The beauty of working in this country is that you get free healthcare from your employer, which saves you money on medical bills if you need it. A downside is that wages tend to be lower than other countries on this list because taxes are high (about 17%).
The United States of America
The United States of America is an excellent option for those who are seeking pharmacy jobs. The demand for pharmacists is high, salaries are competitive and the work environment is comfortable. However, there can be a lot of competition at times due to the large number of applicants vying for limited positions. In addition to this, there will be a lot of paperwork involved in working as a pharmacist in the United States. The job security provided by working as a pharmacist in this country is also good as compared to other countries on our list like Canada and Australia where prospects for employment may not be very stable due to factors such as economic downturns or competition from overseas workers who come into these countries looking for work opportunities
Pharmacists are in high demand all over the world.
Pharmacists are in high demand all over the world. They are highly educated and can perform a wide range of tasks. Pharmacists provide advice to patients, manage drug dispensing, counsel patients on disease prevention and proper use of medications, fill prescriptions, stock drugs and supply medical equipment. Pharmacists also maintain inventory systems and ensure that medications are kept at safe temperatures until they are used by pharmacists or physicians.
Many countries require that applicants have completed at least a four-year degree program before they can sit for their licensing exam which is required in order to practice as a pharmacist in that country. The educational requirements vary by country so you should check with your local embassy or consulate before applying for any job overseas as it may not be possible to transfer your license if it hasn’t been approved by their government agency responsible for overseeing foreign nationals who wish to work within their borders.
If you are looking for a pharmacy job in a foreign country, as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, you should be aware that the field is growing globally. Based on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we have determined that there are many countries offering opportunities for pharmacists and technicians with good salaries, including healthcare benefits. The BLS projects an increase in demand for pharmacists and technicians of 12% across all industries between 2019 to 2029. This is faster than average growth compared to most other occupations during this time period, with 4% growth predicted by the BLS overall.
where is the highest demand for pharmacists
1. United States
Pharmacist average salary: $133,014
In contrast, the annual mean wage for all occupations in the United States is $47,230, according to BLS. The highest average wage obtained by pharmacists in the US comes from San Francisco, this is probably because they have the second-highest cost of living in the US (the average home price in San Francisco is nearly $1.2 million.)
Essentially, higher wages are mainly seen in the States on the outskirts of the midwest and the eastern coastal areas near Washington and New York:
This map of higher pharmacist wages closely follows affluence rates in the US:
In terms of hourly pay, the median was $59.70 per hour. Within the US higher wages are dependent on:
- Geographic location – along the coast, East and West are the most expensive.
- Type of employer – corporate generally pays better than independents.
- Years of experience – the higher the better.
Have a look at our dedicated pharmacist migration to the USA article for more information.
2. Iceland
Pharmacist average salary: $106,000 (USD adjusted)
Iceland has relentlessly climbed the scale of most desirable destinations over the years and up to 98 percent of people in the service industry are fluent in English.
On first glance, this may seem fantastic, but don’t pack your bags just yet. One of the reasons the wage is so high is that the country is so small, there are about 60 pharmacies in Iceland, most of them are only manned by one pharmacist at any given time.
3. Australia
Pharmacist average salary: $88,843
The average pharmacist wage is $42.54 per hour based on 913 salaries submitted anonymously to Indeed. If you do the average 40 hour week this equates to $88,483 per year.
Have a look at our dedicated pharmacist migration to Australia article for more information.
4. Switzerland
Pharmacist average salary: $83,600 – $127,000
While Swiss pharmacists may not be paid as much as their US counterparts, Switzerland has often been named the country with the highest quality of life-based on indexes such as health care, safety, traffic, and pollution.
The CHF, commonly called the Swiss Franc is about equivalent to the US Dollar.
Have a look at our dedicated pharmacist migration to Switzerland article for more information.
5. Canada
Pharmacist average salary: $80,700
The median hourly rate for pharmacists in Canada is $33.74, but there is no noticeable difference in salary for pharmacists with higher levels of experience.
Most Canadian pharmacists move on to other jobs once they accrue more than 20 years of experience.
The average wage for all Canadians in 2014 was around $49,000, according to Statistics Canada.
Have a look at our dedicated pharmacist migration to Canada article for more information.
6. Sweden
Pharmacist average salary: $70,465
An average pharmacist wage in Sweden is $34ph, $5,842.04 per month or $70,465 per year.
A major benefit of pharmacist migration to Sweden is that the income tax is relatively low, only 24%, however, it is mandatory to learn Swedish for you to practice as a pharmacist. It is estimated that learning Swedish takes approximately 575-600 class hours (4 working weeks) to gain a proficient level.
7. United Kingdom
Pharmacist average salary: $57,000 to $53,300
According to PayScale, pharmacists in the United Kingdom tend to make around $53,000, but the UK Office of National Statistics (ONS) estimated the average salary at around $57,000 in 2014. Per hour working as a locum you can expect a wage of £21 per hour which is around $26.
For more context, the highest-paid workers in the United Kingdom in 2014 were city brokers at an average of $205,000, according to ONS. UK pilots tend to make around $138,000.
The UK prime minister’s salary was around $218,000 in 2014, according to The Guardian.
Have a look at our dedicated pharmacist migration to UK article for more information.
8. Germany
Pharmacist average salary: $44,800
Women in Germany make up 55% of the country’s pharmacist workforce, according to PayScale.
German pharmacists are only allowed to own up to 3 locations, so there are no large drugstore chains like there are in the United States or the United Kingdom.
Most pharmacies in Germany are closed during the evenings, Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and holidays. Some pharmacies even close on Wednesdays, according to How To Germany.
9. Republic of Ireland
Pharmacist average salary: $45,442 – $68,163
Pharmacists can earn between $45,442 and $68,163 (with up to three years’ experience) and between $56,000 and $1130,000 (over three years’ experience), although this will vary depending on the employer.
10. United Arab Emirates
Pharmacist average salary: $24,800
This wage increases slightly in Dubai, where the average is $25,330. The best pharmacist wage in UAE are found in the top private clinics, you would expect a lower wage if you were engaged in the pharmaceutical industry.
Pharmacist graduates sometimes cannot work directly as a licensed pharmacist, it these cases they sometimes work as interns and graduate trainees and earn between $1,000 to $2,000 USD.
Highest paid pharmacists are those who have accumulated at least 10 years’ experience and possess at least a Masters degree in a health related course.
scope of pharmacy in foreign countries
The scope of Pharmacy abroad is rich and full of dynamic possibilities. The US and the UK rank among the top countries that provide the best education in this field. Apart from them, countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, etc., also count for the top universities to pursue masters in Pharmacy. The best universities for Pharmacy, other than in the US and UK, are:
- Monash University, Australia
- University of Toronto, Canada
- University of Freiburg, Germany
- University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Karolinska Institute, Sweden
- University of Queensland Australia, Australia
