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Retail pharmacist vs pharmacist consultant

The differences between retail pharmacists and pharmacist consultants 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 $80,637 average annual salary of a pharmacist consultant.

The top three skills for a retail pharmacist include patients, customer service and patient care. The most important skills for a pharmacist consultant are patients, therapy management, and federal regulations.

Retail pharmacist vs pharmacist consultant overview

Retail PharmacistPharmacist Consultant
Yearly salary$118,899$80,637
Hourly rate$57.16$38.77
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs110,27851,701
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

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.

What does a pharmacist consultant do?

A pharmacist consultant specializes in providing advice to patients regarding their medication, discussing benefits, and recommending other services as necessary. They usually work at pharmacies, where they are also in charge of tasks, such as conducting research and assessments, maintaining records, utilizing tools and software to develop organized reports and information databases, and generating sales forecasts for different medications. Additionally, they also coordinate and work together with physicians and other medical experts in developing treatment plans in adherence to standards and regulations.

Retail pharmacist vs pharmacist consultant salary

Retail pharmacists and pharmacist consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Retail PharmacistPharmacist Consultant
Average salary$118,899$80,637
Salary rangeBetween $93,000 And $151,000Between $45,000 And $141,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CA-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyHy-Vee-
Best paying industryRetail-

Differences between retail pharmacist and pharmacist consultant education

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

Retail PharmacistPharmacist Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPharmacyPharmacy
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Retail pharmacist vs pharmacist consultant demographics

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

Retail PharmacistPharmacist Consultant
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 43.8% Female, 56.2%Male, 45.7% Female, 54.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 5.8% Asian, 19.7% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between retail pharmacist and pharmacist consultant duties and responsibilities

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 consultant example responsibilities.

  • Review and manage the medication regimens of long term care facility and assist living facility patients.
  • Dose and manage all Vancomycin and Aminoglycoside antibiotics throughout the entire hospital including overseeing, evaluating, and ordering antibiotic labs.
  • Identify adverse effects, including allergies and drug interactions.
  • Provide consultant pharmacist services for ltc assist living residential subacute group homes etc.
  • Present data on psychotropic medication use, new medications, and new CMS regulations.
  • Dispense medication through the pharmacy technician courier system, and the pyxis automate dose system.
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Retail pharmacist vs pharmacist consultant skills

Common retail pharmacist skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Pharmaceutical Care, 4%
  • Therapy Management, 4%
  • Order Entry, 4%
Common pharmacist consultant skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Therapy Management, 8%
  • Federal Regulations, 5%
  • Drug Therapy, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Nursing Home, 4%

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