Job Market for Pharmacists (Houston, Dallas: home, new construction, schools)

[melissanj0927]

We are considering moving from NJ to Texas, have been researching the market for Pharmacists for some time, and it does appear saturated in many areas. Any Pharmacists or medical professionals able to give insight on how the market is in and around Houston?

[Meyerland]

You might have more luck in small towns or being a floater/relief pharmacist in a regional area. It's tough out there, although CVS is greatly expanding in the south. There may be job openings in the hospitals, but in retail it is harder to find a job.

There have been too many pharmacy graduates over the last five years and the job market is competitive in Texas.

[Zoo2000]

Like pretty everywhere, pharmacy market is soft in Houston. Like in other states, we've had a lot of pharmacy schools open over the past 10 years, and, where there was once a shortage, there is now a surplus. In addition, retail pharmacies aren't expanding the way they used to (i.e a new CVS opening up once a week)...instead you're seeing a lot of consolidation and increasing pressure on working pharmacists to do more with less. If you have hospital or infusion experience (or a residency), it is easier to find work. If you are a BS in Pharmacy and have a straight retail background, it is more challenging.

All that said, I have never seen a pharmacist with experience, a good attitude, good references, and who is flexible on schedule/location, etc not find work within a few months (at the most)! I am in the industry--you can PM if you have any questions.

[Failed Engineer]

I'll say it plain and simple. You better have a job here first before you move. It may be 9+ months before you find anything full time here. It's crazy the number of unemployed pharmacists in Houston. And then the retired ones are still out there trying to get floater hours.

[lipbalm]

Dang. I did not knew pharmacists job market was saturated. I remember years ago when it was the opposite and you could name your price. Goes to show you nothing is forever.

[melissanj0927]

Thanks for the info. Currently my husband is working on reciprocating his license. If we decide to relocate, my husband would be obtaining employment and heading to Texas while I sell our home here in NJ and join him when he is settled.

The market here in NJ is horrible, and he was recently laid off from the chain that he has worked for almost 15 years. Thankfully he was given a decent severance, and we are prepared for the long haul.

[Htown2013]

I'm surprised the market is soft in Houston - there's still a lot of new construction with new CVS/Walgreens and Emergency/Urgent Care being built. I'd think the market is better in growing locations, but I wouldn't move before getting a job. If it's soft in Houston b/c oil bust, surely an experienced Pharmacist could find work in the growing TX metros much less affected by the bust, like Austin, Dallas, or San Antonio.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

My wife is a pharmacist and has been looking for work for 6 months if that tells you anything.

She's gotten as much as 15-20 hours a week at an independent pharmacy but the money is bad and she can't get more than that.

[longhorn1188]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

My wife is a pharmacist and has been looking for work for 6 months if that tells you anything.

She's gotten as much as 15-20 hours a week at an independent pharmacy but the money is bad and she can't get more than that.

Did she just graduate or did she have previous experience?

[melissanj0927]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

My wife is a pharmacist and has been looking for work for 6 months if that tells you anything.

She's gotten as much as 15-20 hours a week at an independent pharmacy but the money is bad and she can't get more than that.

Seems like with the market being so saturated the majority of positions are this way. Same thing here in NJ, the few positions available are per diem positions with no benefits, and 100s of applicants for each position.