Post job

Apothecary vs retail pharmacist

The differences between apothecaries and retail pharmacists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a retail pharmacist has an average salary of $118,899, which is higher than the $66,131 average annual salary of an apothecary.

The top three skills for an apothecary include pharmd, and . The most important skills for a retail pharmacist are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Apothecary vs retail pharmacist overview

ApothecaryRetail Pharmacist
Yearly salary$66,131$118,899
Hourly rate$31.79$57.16
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs12,612110,278
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 100%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

Apothecary vs retail pharmacist salary

Apothecaries and retail pharmacists have different pay scales, as shown below.

ApothecaryRetail Pharmacist
Average salary$66,131$118,899
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $116,000Between $93,000 And $151,000
Highest paying City-Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Hy-Vee
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between apothecary and retail pharmacist education

There are a few differences between an apothecary and a retail pharmacist in terms of educational background:

ApothecaryRetail Pharmacist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 100%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorBiologyPharmacy
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Apothecary vs retail pharmacist demographics

Here are the differences between apothecaries' and retail pharmacists' demographics:

ApothecaryRetail Pharmacist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 36.4% Female, 63.6%Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 4.7% Asian, 21.0% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 5.6% Asian, 22.1% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between apothecary and retail pharmacist duties and responsibilities

Apothecary example responsibilities.

  • Initiate and operate successful community-base immunization programs.
  • Fill and distribute prescriptions and OTC prescription medication for inpatients and out-patients.

Retail pharmacist example responsibilities.

  • Hold concurrent role as PIC for Pleasanton store, managing daily pharmacy operations and staff.
  • Compound medications as required and provide immunization services for eligible patients.
  • Establish relationship with customers so they gain feeling of trust and compassion.
  • Practice state and federal dispensing regulations (HIPAA compliant) regarding control substances, narcotics, and pharmaceutical agents.
  • Monitor appropriateness of medication and dose, check for interactions and allergies, and assure the quality of the medication dispense.
  • Develop policy and procedures for OBRA long term care regulations, CMS guidelines, therapeutic lab monitoring, and infusion admixture.
  • Show more

Apothecary vs retail pharmacist skills

Common apothecary skills
  • PharmD, 100%
Common retail pharmacist skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Pharmaceutical Care, 4%
  • Therapy Management, 4%
  • Order Entry, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs