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Clinical pharmacist vs retail pharmacist

The differences between clinical pharmacists 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 $94,705 average annual salary of a clinical pharmacist.

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

Clinical pharmacist vs retail pharmacist overview

Clinical PharmacistRetail Pharmacist
Yearly salary$94,705$118,899
Hourly rate$45.53$57.16
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs101,564110,278
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a clinical pharmacist do?

A clinical pharmacist is responsible for offering high-quality health care services for the patients, especially on administering effective medications by evaluating the patient's health condition and checking medical history. Clinical pharmacists assist other medical professionals in developing treatment plans and pharmacy programs, educating the patients on appropriate medicine dosages, medicine intake instructions, and other activities that would help patients achieve their healthy lifestyle and wellness. They must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, including appropriate treatments and procedures, to provide the best treatment options for the patients' needs and patiently respond to their inquiries and concerns.

What does a retail pharmacist do?

A Retail Pharmacist prepares and distributes medications to customers, as well as advises them about how to use medications. They are responsible for providing the proper dosages and medicine to patients according to their prescriptions.

Clinical pharmacist vs retail pharmacist salary

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

Clinical PharmacistRetail Pharmacist
Average salary$94,705$118,899
Salary rangeBetween $58,000 And $152,000Between $93,000 And $151,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaOregon
Best paying companyEast Tennessee Children's HospitalHy-Vee
Best paying industryHealth CareRetail

Differences between clinical pharmacist and retail pharmacist education

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

Clinical PharmacistRetail Pharmacist
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPharmacyPharmacy
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Clinical pharmacist vs retail pharmacist demographics

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

Clinical PharmacistRetail Pharmacist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 39.0% Female, 61.0%Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 5.8% Asian, 21.4% White, 61.0% 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 clinical pharmacist and retail pharmacist duties and responsibilities

Clinical pharmacist example responsibilities.

  • Train, manage and instruct pharmacy technicians, interns, and PharmD candidates on clinical rotations.
  • Dose and manage all Vancomycin and Aminoglycoside antibiotics throughout the entire hospital including overseeing, evaluating, and ordering antibiotic labs.
  • Receive and verify drug orders from physicians using computerize physician order entry system, including cancer chemotherapy orders.
  • Implement updated pediatric chemotherapy-induce nausea and vomiting (CINV) guidelines and policy for use in all pediatric patients receiving chemotherapy.
  • Provide clinical assistance to the RPh staff in addition to case processing.
  • Maintain sterile product manufacturing processes to comply with federal, state and local regulations and JCAHO standards.
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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.
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Clinical pharmacist vs retail pharmacist skills

Common clinical pharmacist skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Patient Care, 11%
  • PharmD, 7%
  • Medication Orders, 5%
  • Pharmaceutical Care, 4%
  • Drug Therapy, 4%
Common retail pharmacist skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Pharmaceutical Care, 4%
  • Therapy Management, 4%
  • Order Entry, 4%

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