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PharmD – Doctor of Pharmacy

A Doctor of Pharmacy [ParrmD] is the professional degree required to become a pharmacist in the US. Practicing pharmacists complete an average of six years in school—including their pre-pharmacy education—before passing required exams and completing post-graduate training.

Here’s where things often get confusing. The word “pharmacist” is sometimes used in casual conversation to refer to healthcare professionals who aren’t technically licensed to be pharmacists.

For example, pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists. They work behind the counter among the medications right alongside the pharmacist. However, they don’t need a Doctor of Pharmacy to do their job. A pharmaceutical sales representative typically needs four years of a bachelor’s degree with a foundation in chemistry and biology, though this is not always a requirement. Neither of these professionals is technically a pharmacist, although laypeople may mistakenly describe them that way.

And pursuing a PharmD doesn’t always mean you’ll work in a community pharmacy. In fact, just slightly fewer than half of all PharmD recipients end up in this role. Another 15 percent practice in other healthcare settings—hospitals, nursing homes, and managed care centers, for example. Other pharmacy students pursue research roles, government regulation positions, or work in highly specialized areas like oncology or geriatric pharmacy.

A PharmD or RPH [registered pharmacist] fills the electronic or written prescriptions of a MD/DO/DPM/DDS/DMD. They generally can not prescribe drugs or write prescriptions, however.

As of February 01, 2025, the average annual pay of Doctor of Pharmacy in the United States was $196,904. While Salary.com suggests that a Doctor of Pharmacy salary in the US can go up to $236,908 or down to $149,197, most earn between $171,932 and $217,844.

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Filed under: "Doctors Only", Drugs and Pharma, Ethics, Glossary Terms, Health Insurance | Tagged: counter pharmacist, DO, Doctor of Pharmacy, DPM, health, healthcare, MD, pharmacist, pharmacy, PharmD, registered pharmacist, RPh | Leave a comment »