Pharmacists are the first professionals we think of when we need medication. They provide prescription medication to patients and offer expertise in using those prescriptions in the safest way. The highest-paying countries for Pharmacists provide a favorable working environment and advanced medical equipment, making them comfortable and contributing to the well-being of their country. Becoming a pharmacist requires many years of study, and their job doesn’t stop at the hospital, they can work in various other settings also.
Pharmacists are essential stakeholders in the healthcare industry and deciding on the best country to practice your profession as a pharmacist can be a difficult decision. In this article, we will be answering this question by looking at the highest-paying countries for pharmacists worldwide.
Pharmacists’ salaries are determined by their experience, location, skills, and employer, with more years of experience leading to higher wages. However, these salaries are just an indication of what they usually earn, and the rest depends on more personal aspects.
How to Become A Pharmacist
The steps to becoming a pharmacist are summarized below:
- Step 1: Complete prerequisite coursework. …
- Step 2: Choose a PharmD program. …
- Step 3: Apply to PharmD school. …
- Step 4: Complete the PharmD degree program. …
- Step 5: Pass the licensure exam and obtain a state license. …
- Step 6: Begin your career as a pharmacist.
The Work Environment of A Pharmacist
Although the earnings are high, some pharmacists work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays. They are increasingly involved in patient care and therapy and the work that they have in common with physicians and surgeons.
They typically work with pharmacy technicians, aides, assistants, biological scientists, medical scientists, chemists, and materials scientists.
Job Prospect For Pharmacists
Pharmacists can work in various settings, such as;
- Hospital
- Call centers
- Military bases
- Medical writing
- Industrial settings
- Nuclear pharmacists
- Insurance companies
- Drugstores or grocery store chains
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Areas Of Specialization For Pharmacists
There are many areas where a pharmacist can pitch a niche and excel in this professional career. Some of these areas include:
- Pharmacology
- Drug Chemistry
- Clinical pharmacy
- Nuclear pharmacy
- Hospice Pharmacy
- Pediatric pharmacy
- Geriatric pharmacy
- Personal pharmacy
- Oncology pharmacy
- Cancer Pharmacology
- Psychopharmacotherapy
- Poison control pharmacy
- Pharmacy benefit manager
- Nutritional support pharmacy
Eight Essential Skills Every Pharmacist Must Possess
- Excellent communication skills
- Analytical skills
- The ability to think critically
- Strong numerical skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Observation skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Management skills
Highest Paying Countries For Pharmacists
10. Norway
Norway is one of the best countries to work as a professional Pharmacist and the average yearly salary is 777,000 NOK. Salaries vary depending on the level of experience and skill, gender, or location. Pharmacists with a Bachelor’s degree earn NOK 524,576 and a master’s degree earns NOK 590,071, while those with a number of years of experience earn NOK 760,000 annually. This payment is based on the typical pharmacist’s yearly pay, which may also cover housing, transportation, and other benefits.
9. Denmark
The Healthcare industry in Denmark is highly compensated for its specialized services. This is due to the 11-hour rule, which limits the amount of time that health workers can work each day to a maximum of 11 to guard against workers’ burnout.
The healthcare industry also has a well-organized workplace structure that governs practitioners’ behavior and hiring procedures. Denmark is among the highest-paying countries for Pharmacists, with a typical pharmacist making 35,200 DKK each month. The system is flexible enough to retain the energy of workers, allowing them to dedicate themselves to every single patient.
8. France
A Pharmacist in France typically earns around 5,267 EUR ($5,068) per month, with higher salaries in the capital Paris.
Only pharmacists can own a pharmacy, and ownership is restricted to one pharmacy. France offers convenient working hours, with most pharmacies open from 9 AM until noon and staying open until 5/6 p.m.
7. Canada
Working as a Pharmacist in Canada is financially rewarding, with an average salary of $70, 165 and job security and other incentives. This makes Canada one of the best countries to work as a pharmacist. Salaries for pharmacists in Canada depend on experience and location.
The highest salaries come from Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, and Saskatchewan while the lowest is in Manitoba. The gender breakdown is even, with female pharmacists making up 60% of the workforce.
6. Germany
In Germany, a Pharmacist earns an average salary of $44,800 and women make up 55% of the country’s pharmacist workforce. The working environment and condition of workers are commendable as they are equipped with modern medical facilities and are allowed to have some days off work to rest and take care of their personal lives. Research-based pharmaceutical companies pay higher than state pharmacies
German pharmacists are only allowed to own up to 3 locations and most pharmacies are closed during the evenings, Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and holidays. Germany boasts access to sophisticated medical facilities and offers an enviable working environment to its health workers.
Pharmacists in Germany are only allowed to own up to 3 locations and have an outstanding work-life balance, with most pharmacies being closed during the weekends or even on some weekdays.
5. Australia
Australia is one of the best countries to work as a pharmacist due to its high salary of $88,843 and its strong support for the healthcare industry. It is also seen as a technologically advanced State that values human life and the general welfare of its residents, making it one of the top 10 highest-paying countries for pharmacists.
Apart from pharmacists, Australia is among the countries with the highest salaries for other professionals like accountants, lecturers, and nurses.
4. Switzerland
Switzerland is known to be one of the countries with the best working conditions for qualified healthcare practitioners. Health workers are well remunerated and with a viable economy like theirs, the value of their remuneration is commendable. Pharmacists in Switzerland earn an average salary of between $83,600 and $127,000, with the majority of pharmacists having 1 to 4 years of experience. The average annual salary for pharmacists in Switzerland is $175,024, according to Salary Explorer
While Swiss pharmacists may not be paid as much as their US counterparts, Switzerland has often been named the country with the highest quality of life based on indexes such as health care, safety, traffic, and pollution.
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3. Netherlands
A Dutch pharmacist’s average salary in the Netherlands is €3,333 per month, while senior pharmacists with more experience can earn up to €200.000 ($192,464) after up to 10 years of experience.
Capital cities pay more, with Amsterdam paying 17% higher than the average. The gender gap also exists, with a male pharmacist earning 4% more than a female for the same job.
2. United States
The United States of America is one of the countries in the world with a very viable and outstanding healthcare sector that boasts top-notch medical facilities for the best medical care for its citizens. Expectedly, pharmacists in the US are handsomely rewarded. They earn an average salary of roughly $133,014 per year, making it the third on the list of the top 10 highest-paying countries for Pharmacists.
PayScale reports that US pharmacist salaries are most affected by geographic location, specific kind of employer, and years of experience. Working as a pharmacist is tremendously gratifying both financially and socially due to the respect that medical professionals enjoy due to their incalculable contribution to saving lives.
1. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is one of the best-paying countries for pharmacists and its law allows individual practitioners to open and manage their own private pharmacies. According to PayScale, pharmacists in the UK earn an average salary of $53,300 to $57,000 per year, and this is expected to increase over the years.
Apart from the excellent working conditions and atmosphere for pharmacists, the United Kingdom also provides a good atmosphere for other employees like doctors, geologists, or architects.
The highest average salaries come from Manchester (2.4% more) and London (1.9% more) while the lowest salaries can be found in Liverpool (8.3% less).
Conclusion
Every country pays its pharmacist well, but there are still countries that pay better than other countries when it comes to jobs. These countries pay pharmacists and other healthcare practitioners well due to the good services they render to the public. The top 10 highest-paying countries for Pharmacists are:
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Australia
- Germany
- Canada
- France
- Denmark
- Norway
Do you have any suggestions for us? Let’s hear from you in the comments section.
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