Department director vs pharmacist manager

The differences between department directors and pharmacist managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a department director and a pharmacist manager. Additionally, a department director has an average salary of $97,804, which is higher than the $93,996 average annual salary of a pharmacist manager.

The top three skills for a department director include patient care, patients and healthcare. The most important skills for a pharmacist manager are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Department director vs pharmacist manager overview

	Department Director	Pharmacist Manager
Yearly salary	$97,804	$93,996
Hourly rate	$47.02	$45.19
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,424	61,178
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a department director do?

A Department Director spearheads and oversees the operations of a department, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Although their responsibilities vary upon the functions of a department, they typically have the power to decide on projects and programs. Their responsibilities include setting goals, establishing budgets and guidelines, representing the department at meetings and media coverages, liaising with external business partners, managing staff, and monitoring the progress of operations. Moreover, a Department Director leads and encourages staff to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a pharmacist manager do?

A pharmacist manager is responsible for monitoring the daily operations of a pharmacy, ensuring that all pharmacy personnel provides the right medication to the customers based on the prescription. Pharmacist managers assist in advising the customers for the instructions of their medications, including its dosage and instructions of intake. They manage the inventory and keep safe and clean storage for the products at all times. A pharmacist manager must have a comprehensive knowledge of the medical industry, as well as excellent communication skills, especially in responding to the customers' concerns and inquiries.

Department director vs pharmacist manager salary

Department directors and pharmacist managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Department Director	Pharmacist Manager
Average salary	$97,804	$93,996
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $148,000	Between $57,000 And $153,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Anna Jaques Hospital	Safeway
Best paying industry	Finance	Health Care

Differences between department director and pharmacist manager education

There are a few differences between a department director and a pharmacist manager in terms of educational background:

	Department Director	Pharmacist Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Business	Pharmacy
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Department director vs pharmacist manager demographics

Here are the differences between department directors' and pharmacist managers' demographics:

	Department Director	Pharmacist Manager
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 52.8% Female, 47.2%	Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.9% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.9% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between department director and pharmacist manager duties and responsibilities

Department director example responsibilities.

Manage and direct bureau operations, and provide oversight of criminal investigations of statewide importance.
Establish and develop relationships with ERP and consulting vendors with the goal of maximizing comparative advantage and cost efficient solution development.
Ensure compliance with all CMS regulations.
Provide public education in the areas of fire department capabilities and history as well as CPR classes.
Follow up and coordination of rehabilitation services.
Cross-Train pre-operative and PACU staff to optimize efficiency.

Pharmacist manager example responsibilities.

Schedule procedures, manage caseload for physicians in clinic and surgery.
Addressed customer complaints with compassion, tact, and respect to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Manage a team of 6 (1 pharmacist and 5 techs) prepare shift schedules according to Rx plan and payroll.
Manage educational training for technicians relate to federal HIPAA guidelines.
Manage established high-volume independent community pharmacy operation focuse on the local HIV/AIDS community.
Achieve extensive expertise in third party adjudication and rejection resolution, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Department director vs pharmacist manager skills

Common department director skills

Patient Care, 15%
Patients, 14%
Healthcare, 13%
Oversight, 8%
Human Resources, 5%
Payroll, 4%

Common pharmacist manager skills

Patients, 20%
Customer Service, 17%
Patient Care, 11%
Compassion, 6%
Inventory Management, 6%
Federal Laws, 5%

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Department Director
Department Director vs Pharmacist Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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