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Pharmacist vs retail pharmacist

The differences between pharmacists and retail pharmacists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pharmacist has an average salary of $118,968, which is higher than the $118,899 average annual salary of a retail pharmacist.

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

Pharmacist vs retail pharmacist overview

PharmacistRetail Pharmacist
Yearly salary$118,968$118,899
Hourly rate$57.20$57.16
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs50,943110,278
Job satisfaction3.67-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a pharmacist do?

Pharmacists are medical experts who distribute prescribed medications and immunizations to individuals. They are responsible for ensuring the quality of medicines supplied to patients, which should be within the law and prescribing only what is suitable to the condition of the user and provide proper knowledge on how to take them and possible reactions or side effects that may occur. Pharmacists could work in all environments where medications are used, or medication therapy is appraised as part of patients' care plan but most commonly in hospitals, community-based setting, and health systems.

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.

Pharmacist vs retail pharmacist salary

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

PharmacistRetail Pharmacist
Average salary$118,968$118,899
Salary rangeBetween $93,000 And $151,000Between $93,000 And $151,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaOregon
Best paying companySafewayHy-Vee
Best paying industryRetailRetail

Differences between pharmacist and retail pharmacist education

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

PharmacistRetail Pharmacist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPharmacyPharmacy
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Pharmacist vs retail pharmacist demographics

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

PharmacistRetail Pharmacist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 43.2% Female, 56.8%Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 5.6% Asian, 20.9% White, 62.4% 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 pharmacist and retail pharmacist duties and responsibilities

Pharmacist example responsibilities.

  • Perform diabetes interviews along with physician collaboration agreement to manage therapy and optimal goals.
  • Dose and manage all Vancomycin and Aminoglycoside antibiotics throughout the entire hospital including overseeing, evaluating, and ordering antibiotic labs.
  • Perform critical care and oncology medication therapy management reviews for all patients assign to both satellite pharmacies.
  • Assist with transition to new computer system pending start of permanent PIC.
  • Deliver approximately 20K prescriptions per day to patients through budgeting Dr. Andy Nguyen, Pharm.
  • Provide small-group formal educational presentations for cardiac rehabilitation patients.
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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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Pharmacist vs retail pharmacist skills

Common pharmacist skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Employee Development, 8%
  • Allergies, 6%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Drug Therapy, 5%
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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