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Developing new medications and prescribing drug treatments to ill patients is a critical part of the medical industry. Pharmaceutical professionals range from biochemists who conduct experimental research on new drugs to pharmacy technicians who ring up sales at your local drugstore. These varied professionals work to develop and administer treatments to patients of all ages with all kinds of medical conditions. A career in pharmaceuticals can offer rewarding opportunities with a substantial pharmaceutical salary.

Training as a Pharmacist or Pharmacy Researcher

Pharmacists train for four years to become a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), learning about physiology, anatomy, toxicology, epidemiology, genetics, biochemistry, neuroscience, and drug interactions. Most candidates earn a bachelor's degree in science first or, at a minimum, two to three years of college before applying to pharmacy programs.

Pharmacy schools are accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, and all graduates must be licensed by the state in which they plan to practice before working as a pharmacist. Licensure usually involves two exams, the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam.

Pharmaceutical Salary and Earning Predictions

Pharmacists may work long hours: over 12 percent worked more than 50 hours per week in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). These long hours are offset by a healthy pharmaceutical salary in many jobs in this profession.

The BLS reports the following median annual pharmaceutical salaries for 2009:

• Pharmacists: $109,180. The middle 50 percent of pharmacists earned between $95,780 and $123,330
• Pharmacy technicians: $28,070
• Biochemists: $82,390
• Medical scientists: $74,590
• Chemical technicians: $42,070

With ongoing growth in the medical field and an increasing need for trained pharmacists and medical researchers, pharmacists should face solid job prospects in coming years. The BLS projects 17 percent job growth for pharmacists between 2008 and 2018 due primarily to an aging population who will require more prescription drugs.