Pharmacist Question?

Question

I want to know if there is usually a difference in pay for a pharmacist working at a hospital and a pharmacist working at a pharmacy in a drug store like Smiths or Walmart. Would one make more than the other? I know pay is different everywhere but I'm just asking about what the usual case is. Thanks.

Answer 1

Yep. Generally, retail pharmacist make more than hospital pharmacist when you adjust for experience(time working as a licensed pharmacist). Part of it also depends on local pharmacist shortages. But, realize that retail pharmacists may give up something for that extra green. Generally, it is more difficult to get time off when working retail. Hospital are more lenient with leave because they have more people to choose from to fill shifts. Generally, hospital pharmacists don't have to worry about billing and insurance. Retail pharmacists also have to deal with the public more, eat on their feet(if they get to eat at all), have fewer other pharmacist to call on, and have fewer resources. Hospital pharmacist have to worry about more emergent situations, 24/7 shifts to fill, and having to deal with working with many other departments. This is not to say is a better job than the other. I work in a hospital, and my cousin works retail. He likes that and I like this. But, for straight money and benefits-retail usually beats hospital if you are talking staff pharmacist. Sometimes the differences can be quite large too.

Answer 2

Hi I have been a pharmacy tech for 2 years and I asked this same question to one of our pharmacists and he said "Usually it's the same but, sometimes a hospital pays more"

Answer 3

Clearly, you are a christian that has experienced the stupidity of a fellow chrisitan. You know the difference between the two, so perhaps you're fishing for specific responses. My response is simple, the religion matters a lot less than the individual. Even though I am not a believer of any faith I know good and people of several different faiths, and even of no faith. It all boils down to the individual, and how that individual is perceived can easily be blanketed across all similar people by people who are different, be it religions, cultures, nationalities, skin color, ethnicity, social or economic class, whatever.

Answer 4

I don't know how it is in your country (sounds like the USA?). Over here, while I'm not sure about the pay difference, if you work for the private sector, you have greater upward mobility and it's easier to move on to managerial roles or move between departments that may offer greater career and pay advancement opportunities.

Answer 5

yes absolutely. retail stores such as pharmacy are usually the highest salaries while hospitals are much lower. then again the retail outlets have a high stress environment and hospitals for the most part does not.

Answer 6

For me it's about it's made about a 20K annual difference going from hospital to retail. It of course varies with each individual.

I like ontopofol's answer from a general standpoint. I just thought you might prefer a specific too.

Answer 7

at the shop u get a commision on the basis of sales.... plus if u r on a 24 hour store you can earn big overtime