Careers in health care continue to be in demand, creating opportunities for many new graduates. In particular, demand for trained pharmacists is projected to grow and salary outlook remains high. For those who are interested in starting a pharmacy or pre-pharmacy training program, or for those who are about to graduate from such a program, here is some more detailed information about projected growth to understand career and salary outlook for the field in 2012:

Reason for Demand

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that demand for trained pharmacists is expected to rise 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, creating approximately 45,900 new jobs. The projected growth is faster than average for other careers. Many factors contribute to the increasing demand for pharmacists:

• Increasing numbers of middle-aged and elderly people, who have more need for prescription drugs
• Growing involvement of pharmacists in patient care, including the need to counsel patients on drug use and interactions
• Growth of pharmaceutical industry and creation of new therapeutic drugs
• Expanded access to insurance coverage under health-care reform

A shortage of trained pharmacists is also projected, contributing to greater demand. A conference sponsored by the Pharmacy Manpower Project predicted that there will be a shortfall of as many as 157,000 pharmacists by 2020 because the number of graduates is not keeping pace with the demand. Another report conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Depart of Health and Human Services reached similar conclusions about a projected shortage of pharmacists.

Because of the ongoing demand, 2012 pharmacy graduates should have no trouble finding immediate employment. (This is assuming that graduates are willing to relocate if their geographic areas are saturated such as in large metropolitan areas, e.g.: Los Angeles).

Salary Projections

Pharmacists have traditionally enjoyed an above average salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that median annual wages were $106,410 in May 2008, and that the middle 50 percent of pharmacists earned between $92,670 and $121,310 a year. The highest 10 percent earned more than $131,440 a year.

The good news is that salaries are expected to remain high. The bad news is that salaries for pharmacists have traditionally remained stagnant over the course of a career, with small adjustments for inflation or experience earned. Some experience little to no salary growth over the course of their careers, limiting the potential for upward mobility.

However, many pharmacists can find advancement through research or managerial positions, which offer potential for salary increases. Because of the projected expansion of pharmaceutical services, many pharmacists are likely to find greater opportunities for mobility within the profession in the coming years.

Becoming a pharmacist takes many years of training – as much as six to eight years, depending on your program and your background – but there are many opportunities for those wishing to begin their careers in the field, either in hospitals, clinics, community centers, or retail pharmacists. Demand will continue to grow, expanding opportunities across sectors, and salaries will continue to remain high.

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Erinn Stam is the Managing Editor for nursing student scholarships. She attends Wake Technical Community College and is learning about nursing scholarships for single moms. She lives in Durham, NC with her lovely 4-year-old daughter and exuberant husband.

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The influx of new pharmacy schools is due to a new demand for pharmacists around the country.  Opening new schools allows students to stay within their hometown area without moving to a big city simply to receive their pharmacy degree.  This has allowed many more students to enroll than was possible within the past years.  Most administrators do not recognize the need for many students to stay at home for school in order to save money and not incur larger debts than they already have to for school.  Therefore, the new availability of schools in places such as SIUE has allowed less of a commute for many as well as a new education opportunity.  This newest addition to the pharmacy network has already boasted top marks from the national organization and has been told that it’s a model program.  Achieving accreditation status for most pharmacy schools is a sign that they are thus able to draw higher-quality students and improve their standing even more.

Most pharmacy schools practice continuing-education programs like SIUE, in which students are provided more training to practicing pharmacists in the area so that they will constantly improve their education.  In the case of SIUE, the national organization renewed this status for the next two years, after which it will only need to be renewed every six years.  Getting accreditation status is a big step for any pharmacy school, and in the case of SIUE this will only mean increased amounts of applicants which will allow the school to grow out within the state.  Many schools are still waiting to gain accreditation status around the country which will lead to a better education group of pharmacists entering the world after school.

This post was contributed by Jill Gordon, who writes about the lpn nursing schools. She welcomes your feedback at Jill.Gordon25@ yahoo.com

Here are the recently opened pharmacy schools:

Belmont TN ——————————-Pre-Candidate**
Calilfornia Northstate CA ——————-Pre-Candidate**
Charleston WV—————————- Candidate**
Chicago State IL ————————–Pre-Candidate**
East Tennessee State TN ——————Candidate**
Findlay OH ——————————–Candidate**
Harding, University of AR ——————-Pre-Candidate**
Hawaii at Hilo HI —————————Candidate**
Incarnate Word TX ————————Candidate**
Lipscomb TN ——————————Pre-Candidate**
NEOUCOP OH ——————————Candidate**
Pacific U. (OR) OR —Just received full accreditation, thanks for the update rxgirly2012
Southern Illinois Edwardsville IL ————-Candidate**
Sullivan *** KY —————————-PreCandidate
Texas A&M – Kingsville TX ——————-Candidate**
Thomas Jefferson *** PA——————- Pre-Candidate**
Touro (CA) CA —————————–Candidate**
Touro (NY) NY —————————–Pre-Candidate**
Union TN ———————————-Pre-Candidate**

According to a research done by a member of studentdoctor, these are other pharmacy schools that may be opening in the near future:
possible schools for 2011
Central California SOP- private stand-alone no university affiliation
Samual Merrit (#10 in CA)
St. Joseph College, CT
Roosevelt University, Chicago
Univerity of NC Greensboro

possible schools opening 2010
The University of Maryland Eastern Shores
Drexel
Farleigh Dickinson
D’ Youville College
Concordia-Wisconsin-projects a class size of 300.
Presbyterian College-NC
University of South Florida
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

schools opening 2009
Husson University
New England, University of ME
Notre Dame of Maryland
Regis University

ACPE lists the detailed accreditation status of all American Pharmacy Schools.

2008 Top 200 branded drugs by retail dollars
2008 Top 200 branded drugs by total prescriptions
2008 Top 200 generic drugs by retail dollars
2008 Top 200 generic drugs by total prescriptions

If you plan on applying for pharmacy schools, you may want to consider obtaining your pharmacy tech license. In addition to the title of CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician), you will have the basic knowledge to succeed in a pharmacy setting. Although obtaining a pharmacy tech license is not mandatory prerequisite for pharmacy school, it will show the admission committees that your dedication to pursuing pharmacy as a career. Some pharmacies may hire you as a pharmacy clerk without any license, but many pharmacies will not hire anyone who has not obtained their pharmacy technician license. Licensing procedures may differ state to state, so it is wise to also check your state’s pharmacy board website before getting started.