Pharmacist Job Market (real estate, schools, college)

[StarLachka]

I would appreciate if anyone would tell me how's job market for pharmacists (retail, hospital) in Lehigh valley? Is it really hard to find a job here or somewhat easier then in big city?

[Edward Bohrer]

The pharmacist job market is tight in the Lehigh Valley, and pretty much tight all over, except in rural and semi-rural areas where many people do not wish to relocate. The bad news is that it will get tighter, as the schools spill out a plethora of new pharmacists, and the employment opportunities gradually dry up due to vastly improving technology and the greater us of less expensive technicians. The schools of pharmacy are making their big bucks, and are about as truthful as real estate agents were 3-4 years ago telling how great real estate is, and everyone should own. The truth in pharmacy is that it is much more readily outsourced and delegated to other disciplines than other medical professions. The work in retail pharmacy is tough and will get tougher as employers call the shots and make their employees jump thru hoops, knowing that they can be easily replaced. If you want a relatively secure job in pharmacy, look for small towns in the midwest and south, where other educated people are less willing to live.

[macsret]

Originally Posted by Edward Bohrer

The pharmacist job market is tight in the Lehigh Valley, and pretty much tight all over, except in rural and semi-rural areas where many people do not wish to relocate. The bad news is that it will get tighter, as the schools spill out a plethora of new pharmacists, and the employment opportunities gradually dry up due to vastly improving technology and the greater us of less expensive technicians. The schools of pharmacy are making their big bucks, and are about as truthful as real estate agents were 3-4 years ago telling how great real estate is, and everyone should own. The truth in pharmacy is that it is much more readily outsourced and delegated to other disciplines than other medical professions. The work in retail pharmacy is tough and will get tougher as employers call the shots and make their employees jump thru hoops, knowing that they can be easily replaced. If you want a relatively secure job in pharmacy, look for small towns in the midwest and south, where other educated people are less willing to live.

Edward Bohrer, Hmmm, we seem to be at odds with our findings regarding the job market for pharmacists. I have two kids both are presently attending a college for Pharmacists. All of the data that I find on the internet and from talking personally to Pharmacists indicates the profession is very stable, in fact in need of more pharmacists and the average starting salary to be around $70k - $100k with the median salary to be around $125k. I found some were much higher, with the Department of Veterans Affairs starting pharmacists out at $116 and the median to be $137. Would be very interested to hear from others on their findings.