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Job outlook for outpatient pharmacist managers in the United States
Are outpatient pharmacist manager jobs in demand?
Outpatient pharmacist manager job and salary trends over time
Outpatient pharmacist manager jobs over time
Outpatient pharmacist manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,387 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,400 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,381 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,374 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,373 | 0.00% |
Average outpatient pharmacist manager salary over time
Outpatient pharmacist manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $87,778 | $42.20 | +0.5% |
| 2025 | $87,355 | $42.00 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $86,011 | $41.35 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $84,681 | $40.71 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $83,358 | $40.08 | +0.6% |
Outpatient pharmacist manager jobs by state
Most common states for outpatient pharmacist managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 181 | 26% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 206 | 21% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,349 | 18% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,065 | 18% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,014 | 18% |
| 6 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,173 | 17% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,471 | 17% |
| 8 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,054 | 17% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 177 | 17% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 128 | 17% |
| 11 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,666 | 16% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,214 | 16% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 930 | 16% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 510 | 16% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,525 | 15% |
| 16 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,020 | 15% |
| 17 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 646 | 15% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 438 | 15% |
| 19 | California | 39,536,653 | 5,380 | 14% |
| 20 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 586 | 14% |
Most common cities for outpatient pharmacist managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hopkinsville | 1 | 3% | $70,152 |
| 2 | Lawndale | 1 | 3% | $112,946 |
| 3 | Livingston | 1 | 3% | $58,403 |
| 4 | Grand Junction | 1 | 2% | $78,016 |
| 5 | La Mesa | 1 | 2% | $113,877 |
| 6 | Alhambra | 1 | 1% | $112,660 |
| 7 | Bellevue | 1 | 1% | $71,016 |
| 8 | Carmel | 1 | 1% | $54,260 |
| 9 | Grand Rapids | 1 | 1% | $52,596 |
| 10 | Hollywood | 1 | 1% | $87,344 |
| 11 | Lancaster | 1 | 1% | $111,902 |
| 12 | New Britain | 1 | 1% | $56,150 |
| 13 | Newton | 1 | 1% | $53,987 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $112,801 |
| 15 | Bakersfield | 1 | 0% | $111,209 |
| 16 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $64,294 |
| 17 | Chula Vista | 1 | 0% | $114,012 |
| 18 | New York | 1 | 0% | $58,883 |
Outpatient Pharmacist Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of outpatient pharmacist manager experts
Wilkes University
University of Southern California
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
The University of Findlay
Harding University
University of Connecticut
University of the Incarnate Word
Binghamton University
Manchester University
University of Michigan College of Pharmacy
What will help Outpatient Pharmacist Managers increase their earning potential?
Brent Rollins RPh, PhD: The day-to-day looks very different based on the area of pharmacy practice one works. The traditionally thought of roles for the pharmacist exist in a community pharmacy (filling new and refill prescriptions, counseling patients and taking care of the general public) or hospital pharmacy (filling physician orders, counseling patients and solving inpatient issues). However, more and more pharmacists are working in direct patient care managing chronic disease states such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease or in the insurance world educating a third-party's patients, managing drug formularies and solving those patient/prescription issues. In the end, pharmacists make sure the right person gets the right medication, take care of a patient's health care/medication needs, and are problem-solvers for all things related to a person's drug therapy.
What will help Outpatient Pharmacist Managers increase their earning potential?
Rubi Mahato PhD, MBA: Critical thinking, adaptability, effective patient counseling, and effective communication with healthcare professionals.
What general advice would you give to an Outpatient Pharmacist Manager?
Kari Franson PharmD, PhD, BCPP: Pharmacists ensure that each patient is receiving the right therapy, at the right dose at the right time to maximize a patient’s health. They do this in a variety of settings working alongside other health care professionals all committed to ensuring the best for the patient. Depending on the type of pharmacist the day to day activities vary greatly and thus attract people who have interest into going into a health profession that provides them with a variety of opportunities. Pharmacists can help develop medications, produce and test them in accordance with regulatory guidance, determine the best market to ensure patients have access, work in health systems that provide patients with these medications in a hospital or clinic setting, or be the most accessible healthcare provider when they work in community pharmacies. But then there are also pharmacy specializations that attract more people such as cardiology, oncology, mental health, global health, industry, government organizations, or even new and exciting roles in sports pharmacy and digital health
What general advice would you give to an Outpatient Pharmacist Manager?
James Wheeler: Pharmacists are medication experts and work in a variety of settings including community pharmacies, clinics, hospitals, long term care settings, the pharmaceutical industry, and many other areas. Day to day responsibilities vary depending on role and setting, but often include preparing and dispensing medications, counseling and educating patients, administering vaccines or other medications, and collaborating with many healthcare professionals. Pharmacists engaging in direct patient care often perform comprehensive medication management, which includes designing, managing, and monitoring pharmacotherapy regimens via collaborative practice.
What Outpatient Pharmacist Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
James Wheeler: Pharmacists enjoy the versatility of the PharmD degree, allowing for a wide variety of career paths and specialization opportunities in various pharmacy practice areas. It’s a trusted profession where pharmacists tackle complex medical issues, build relationships with patients and colleagues, and improve population health. Pharmacists enjoy the opportunity to serve patients, grow as clinicians, and make a positive impact in their communities. Like other healthcare professions, the role is demanding and requires constant learning and professional growth, but the work is meaningful and improves patient’s lives.
Jenna Mills PharmD, BCPS
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy PracticeThe University of Findlay
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, And Administration
What general advice would you give to an Outpatient Pharmacist Manager?
Jenna Mills PharmD, BCPS: Give yourself patience and grace as you transition from a student pharmacist into a registered pharmacist (RPh). Being a new practitioner comes with many learning curves: responsibility for patient care, working efficiently, and learning site-specific policies and procedures that will be new to you, to name a few. Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day – you’re beginning your career and will learn more about the site and yourself as a pharmacist every day. Pharmacy school may be over, but maintain your willingness to learn. Ask questions, take notes during your training for reference later, and remember that every shift comes with opportunities to learn.
What Outpatient Pharmacist Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jenna Mills PharmD, BCPS: Empathy: as pharmacists face increasing workplace demands, don’t lose sight of your ‘why’ for committing to the profession of pharmacy. For many, this involves a desire to positively impact patient care. In my work as a pharmacist, I often consider the care I would want one of my family members, friends, or loved ones to receive. This can involve going the extra mile for our patients, such as securing an affordable treatment option for a patient when the initial medication is too expensive or inaccessible. Pharmacists are in a position to help patients; some cases may involve extra time and effort, and you may find yourself questioning how you can provide this when you’re being pulled in different directions and facing various tasks. Remember your ‘why’, and don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re involved in the care for someone’s loved one and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to help.
Prioritization: pharmacists face many demands in the workplace all throughout the day. Oftentimes, several demands occur at once. For example, you might be on the phone with a patient or other healthcare provider, someone might be knocking on your door or arrive at your counter, and the unverified prescriptions queue may be filling up by the minute. In these instances, pharmacists must actively listen to what is being presented (take notes!) and determine what is the problem of highest priority. During the workday, pharmacists must determine what is urgent and time-sensitive to guide their next step.
Attention to detail: whether you’re verifying a new prescription, dispensing a medication from the pharmacy, completing a consult, or evaluating a patient’s chart, pharmacists must be equipped with analytical skills. Known as ‘medication experts,’ pharmacists must be accurate and attentive to ensure safe patient care.
Julie Hixson-Wallace
Dean and ProfessorHarding University
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, And Administration
What general advice would you give to an Outpatient Pharmacist Manager?
Julie Hixson-Wallace: Be flexible! A pharmacy degree can be used to practice in a variety of settings. Having an open mind to explore all the available opportunities can open doors most people don't associate with the traditional view of pharmacists.
What will help Outpatient Pharmacist Managers increase their earning potential?
Julie Hixson-Wallace: Pharmacists are increasingly providing direct patient care in a variety of settings. Critical thinking and communication skills are important when bridging the gaps in primary care and supporting other members of the healthcare team as the medication expert in the group.
What general advice would you give to an Outpatient Pharmacist Manager?
Chasity Shelton PharmD, FCCP, FNAP, BCPS, BCPPS: To maximize your salary potential when starting your career in pharmacy, I would advise someone to start by exploring salary trends within the various career paths for pharmacy. Some geographic locations offer more competitive salaries, and some specialized areas of pharmacy can also increase your earning potential. Staying abreast of the evolving pharmacy healthcare environment can inform you of the need to seek out advanced education or additional certifications. Continuously upgrading your skills and knowledge can make you more valuable to employers which can command a higher salary. Also, building and leveraging your professional network will help you identify hidden job opportunities.
What general advice would you give to an Outpatient Pharmacist Manager?
C. Michael White: Challenges include being the drug information expert, dealing with anxious or upset patients, breaking bad news, and the need to be physically present during work hours. Working from home may not be an option for some roles, leading to pros and cons in career choices.
What skills stand out on Outpatient Pharmacist Manager resumes?
Dr. David Maize Ph.D.: On paper, the skills that stand out the most are leadership positions. These can be officer positions in school organizations, committee chair positions, head of a project at work, or a leadership position in a professional organization. Anything that shows that you, as a staff pharmacist, can lead a team. Leading a group of people, regardless of the specific situation, is challenging. Quickly, you learn that it is nearly impossible to please everyone all at once, and you need to balance fairness and compassion to best serve your team and your customers/patients.
What soft skills should all Outpatient Pharmacist Managers possess?
Dr. David Maize Ph.D.: Basic conversation/communication skills along with problem-solving skills are crucial for a successful pharmacist. One of the most basic questions I ask myself about a candidate is, "can I see myself working next to this candidate? Also, could I go to work every day and have this person as my partner?" To find the answer to my questions, I typically rank how well a conversation went during the interview. I try to get a sense of the candidate's personality and start thinking about where this candidate could fit into a particular team. Without basic communication skills, you won't be able to succeed in a stressful team environment, and you won't be able to build rapport with your patients. For critical thinking, detailed but succinct answers to situation-based questions are revealing on how a candidate would handle certain situations. Every day in the pharmacy is different from the last. Being able to problem solve critically makes for a strong pharmacist.
Patience and empathy are skills every pharmacist must have to help our patients. Many times patients come to the pharmacy sick or short on time. A small problem could easily escalate. The pharmacist does not know what happened to that person during the day. Time, understanding, and a kind word can make that patient feel as if you care only about them at the moment.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Outpatient Pharmacist Managers?
Dr. David Maize Ph.D.: First, a strong clinical knowledge base is essential for the health and safety of the patient. Second, knowledge of electronic medical record systems (EMR) is important. The specific EMR or database is not important, but the basic skills of finding pertinent patient information within a database are crucial to day-to-day tasks. Third, you need to know how to find answers to questions. I appreciate candidates that will admit they don't know an answer to a question but will then explain how they would find the answer.
What skills will help Outpatient Pharmacist Managers earn the most?
Dr. David Maize Ph.D.: Flexibility and adaptability. The days of standing or sitting in front of one station in the pharmacy with technicians handing you work while you stay in one place are gone. The modern pharmacy has pharmacists completing technical tasks like prescription verification and patient counseling, but now they are expected to complete medication therapy management (MTM) calls, assess a patient's immunization needs, potentially complete point of care testing for disease state management or pharmacy-based prescribing through a collaborative practice agreement. If you show an ability to be flexible and adaptable in the skills you practice, you will be able to earn more in the long term. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, adapting to the ever-changing healthcare field can make or break a pharmacy.
Rachael Perry
Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management and Student AffairsBinghamton University
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Outpatient Pharmacist Manager job market given the pandemic?
Rachael Perry: For pharmacy graduates, I think we are going to see greater demand as hospitals and community pharmacies continue to ramp up the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers, and patients trust them, so community pharmacies are a great access point for vaccine administration. There is also some skepticism about the vaccine. Pharmacists are going to be essential in explaining the science behind the vaccine and the importance of receiving it to the public.
What skills stand out on Outpatient Pharmacist Manager resumes?
Rachael Perry: I think it is important that graduates are able to articulate their skills to employers beyond just listing them generically on a resume or CV. As a pharmacist, communication skills are essential but listing "strong communication skills" is something everyone can put on their resume. Giving specific examples, numbers, or quantifiable metrics to demonstrate that you actually have those skills is much better. You also want to be sure that your CV/resume and cover letter are pristine, free of grammatical and spelling errors, because that is likely going to be the first impression of your communication skills.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Outpatient Pharmacist Managers to find work opportunities?
Rachael Perry: The good news for pharmacy graduates is there are jobs all over the country! There is usually a demand for pharmacists in rural or underserved communities, so there are a lot of opportunities in those areas.
What experience really stands out on Outpatient Pharmacist Manager resumes?
Michael Bottorff: As every pharmacy school has been offering the Doctor of Pharmacy degree since the year 2000, students need to consider how to acquire additional skills and experiences that make them stand out. Working with faculty on research projects is one way, particularly if that project results in a poster presentation or publication in a journal. Another option would be to consider graduating with an additional degree. Some pharmacy schools offer a combined Pharm.D./MBA degree. At Manchester, we offer the combined Pharm.D./Masters in Pharmacogenomics dual degree, and many students have already selected that option over the last few years. Another way to strengthen a resume is to consider post-graduate opportunities prior to entering the workforce; these could include pharmacy residencies, fellowships and a master's or Ph.D. in a specific pharmacy discipline, such as pharmacology or medicinal chemistry.
Dr. Jolene Bostwick
Assistant Dean for Co-Curriculum and Professional Development & Clinical ProfessorUniversity of Michigan College of Pharmacy
Department of Clinical Pharmacy
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Outpatient Pharmacist Managers?
Dr. Jolene Bostwick: I hope the enduring impact will be how the general public and policymakers observe how pharmacists can positively impact disease screening, treatment, education, and prevention, aligning with our graduate-level training.
Specific to the workforce, however, I think the overall process of recruitment and interviewing will forever be changed. Specific to pharmacy residencies or fellowships, while our graduates have fared well, the competition for these positions continues to increase. With the transition to virtual recruitment, students will need to work harder to find programs that are a good fit and that meet their needs/align with their career goals - especially related to the culture of the organization, which may be difficult to determine if on-site visits are limited. Programs will need to innovate to attract graduates as well. In the virtual environment, we have seen more pre-interview virtual screening before the formal interview invitation, indicating students must make a good virtual impression. I anticipate virtual interview pre-screening will be more commonplace even post-Covid.
I also anticipate the enduring impact will honestly align with several of the services provided and skills possessed by our graduates, including (but not limited to):
- Providing immunizations
- Mental health first aid training
- Patient access to medications
- Medication adherence
- Drug shortage management
- Expanded scope of practice to meet demands of patients during pandemic
- Telepharmacy
- Delivery services
- Patient education, including dispelling misinformation
- Disease screening
- Development of treatment protocols and policies/guidelines
- Patient recruitment for clinical trials
- Antimicrobial stewardship
What type of skills will young Outpatient Pharmacist Managers need?
Dr. Jolene Bostwick: I feel our graduates are currently well-prepared to enter the workforce regardless of the practice setting they decide to pursue. In the context of Covid, I don't think much has changed here. Some examples include:
- Continued focus on interdisciplinary collaboration
- Advocacy and leadership
- Verbal and non-verbal communication skills and other "soft skills" for interacting with patients and other healthcare professionals, as always
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Practicing evidence-based medicine
- Engaging with vulnerable patient populations to optimize care, including patients with mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use disorders) and other underserved or marginalized populations