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Pharmacists

Makes sure medicines are safe and used the right way.

Typical education to startDoctoral or professional degree
Job outlook2025–2035: +5%
Median pay$140,910 a year (2025)
Interest codeISC Investigative, Social, Conventional

Read the full guide

Pharmacists check prescriptions, explain how to take medicines, catch dangerous combinations and give vaccines. They work in drugstores, hospitals, clinics and drug companies.

Open the pharmacist guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

  • Biology · Science

    Builds biology, which this job uses.

  • Pre-Algebra · Math

    Builds math, which this job uses.

  • Physical Education · Health and PE

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

  • Veterinary Science · Career and Technical

    Builds biology, which this job uses.

  • English 10 · English

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

  • Psychology · Social Studies

    Builds psychology, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Pharmacists on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.