Director of Pharmacy Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - January 8, 2018
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The following article discusses the career path of Director of Pharmacy. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Director of Pharmacies.

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Job Duties

Directors of pharmacy are responsible for making sure that all operations within the pharmacy operate properly. They ensure that employees are positioned to perform properly and make sure they receive training and feedback for this. Additionally, they have to meet all the relevant company guidelines, while at the same time being compliant with local, state, and federal rules and regulations.

Furthermore, they have to be able to work with different pharmaceutical equipment and set these up for patients. They are strong communicators who work well under pressure, being focused on meeting deadlines. They also have to ensure the pharmacy itself runs smoothly and efficiently.

Other job duties of a director of pharmacy are:

  • To direct and guide all pharmaceutical staff so they efficiently and effectively use the available products and equipment
  • To ensure that all services offered comply with local, state, and federal rules and regulations, as well as with professional standards
  • To hold responsibility for order processing, inventory, dispensation, and distribution of pharmaceutical products
  • To manage budget development, business planning, and staff operations

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 312,500 pharmacists in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:

  • Pharmacies and drug stores: 43%
  • Hospitals; state, local, and private: 25%
  • General merchandise stores: 8%
  • Grocery stores: 7%

How to Become

A pharmacy director must be licensed by their state’s pharmacy board. This means having a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited program. They must also have managerial skills and understand how to operate office equipment. Furthermore, they must be physically capable of pushing, pulling, and lifting heavy equipment and to be on their feet for long periods of time.

Education Requirements

A pharmacy director must hold the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. There were 128 programs in the country that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) in 2017. These programs have varying admission requirements, with most demanding at least two years of study at undergraduate level. Furthermore, prospective pharmacists must pass the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT).

During the program, pharmacists learn about pharmacology, chemistry, and medical ethics. They must also complete a supervised work experience as part of the degree. Usually, this is in retail or hospital pharmacies.

A director of pharmacy commonly also holds a master in business administration (MBA), particularly if they wish to run their own pharmacy. Those that work for governmental institutions commonly hold a graduate degree in public health as well.

A director of pharmacy must also ensure their knowledge remains relevant and up to date. Hence, they must take part in continuous education. This is a requirement throughout their career. Some use that as an opportunity to specialize in certain areas of pharmacy, such as geriatric care or internal medicine.

A pharmacy director also has to be licensed by their state. They do this by passing an exam on pharmacy knowledge and skills through the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX), and by passing a test on pharmacy law, usually the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE). Should they wish to administer immunizations or vaccinations, they must also be licensed to do so by obtaining the Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery certification offered by the American Pharmacists Association.

Advanced certifications, such as the certified Diabetes Educator, offered by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educator, or certifications in areas such as oncology or nutrition, are also available. These are provided by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective directors of pharmacy have the following traits to some degree or other:

  • Strong analytical skills
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Excellent computer skills
  • Detail oriented
  • Strong managerial skills

Minimum Education

Doctorate Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Director of Pharmacy was $136,890. This number is estimated from over 338,124 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $71.30 and monthly of $11,408.

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$60,000

$244,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Director of Pharmacy salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, California had the largest quoted salary of $168,383 while Colorado had the smallest quoted salary of $111,687.

AlabamaKansasNebraskaSouth Dakota
ArizonaKentuckyNew HampshireTennessee
CaliforniaMassachusettsNew JerseyTexas
ColoradoMarylandNew MexicoVirginia
DCMaineNew YorkVermont
FloridaMichiganOhioWashington
GeorgiaMissouriOregonWisconsin
IowaMississippiPennsylvaniaWest Virginia
IllinoisNorth CarolinaSouth CarolinaWyoming
Alabama – $114,140Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Larry White Associates and RPh Professional Search.

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  • Most Reported
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$57,000

$176,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona – $128,559Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Steven Douglas Associates, Engage Partners, StaffPointe, and MMS Group.

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$65,000

$205,000

Salary Distribution
California – $168,383Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like All’s Well Health Care, E-Health Jobs, CLINIPOST, and Sharkey’s Recruiting Firm.

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$82,000

$284,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado – $111,687Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Healthcare Scouts, Inc..

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$41,000

$216,000

Salary Distribution
DC – $137,162Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clinical Management Consultants.

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$69,000

$208,000

Salary Distribution
Florida – $125,840Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Miami Miller School of Med, Steven Douglas Associates, University of Miami, and ABPS MedStaff.

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$52,000

$231,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia – $123,031Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The HealthCare Initiative, Health Career Associates, and Clinical Management Consultants.

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$50,000

$228,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa – $133,909Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ploeger Recruiting Services, Steven Douglas Associates, Affinity Executive Search, and RPh Professional Search.

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$67,000

$202,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois – $146,888Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Affiance Group LLC, Clinical Management Consultants, RPh Professional Search, and MedWest Healthcare Recruiting LLC.

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$74,000

$230,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas – $131,322Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like NewCareers, RPh Professional Search, MJ Recruiters, LLC, and Professional Recruiting Partners, LLC.

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$66,000

$208,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky – $127,194Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search, University of Kentucky, and Clinical Management Consultants.

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$58,000

$222,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts – $139,595Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Affiance Group LLC and Clinical Management Consultants.

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$70,000

$224,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland – $141,311Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dove Management Resources (DMR) and Clinical Management Consultants.

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$71,000

$232,000

Salary Distribution
Maine – $143,283Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like A-Line Staffing, MMS Group, MedWest Healthcare Recruiting LLC, and KVR Consultant.

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$72,000

$217,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan – $130,348Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search and StaffPointe.

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$66,000

$210,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri – $140,643Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search.

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$59,000

$257,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi – $114,594Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Steven Douglas Associates.

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$54,000

$196,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina – $126,546Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search and Wake County Government.

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$54,000

$227,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska – $119,383Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like KVR Consultant, Speigner Staffing, Healthcare Employment Partners, and RPh Professional Search.

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$45,000

$228,000

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire – $136,500Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MedWest Healthcare Recruiting LLC, Dove Management Resources (DMR), and RPh Professional Search.

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$68,000

$206,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey – $139,257Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like B2B Staffing Services and Clinical Management Consultants.

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$66,000

$239,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico – $132,359Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clinical Management Consultants, RPh Professional Search, ABPS MedStaff, and Pro-Touch Nurses Inc..

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$67,000

$215,000

Salary Distribution
New York – $137,241Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clinical Management Consultants, MedWest Healthcare Recruiting LLC, Execu|Search, and Hire Resolve.

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$60,000

$245,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio – $130,246Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search and Clinical Management Consultants.

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$58,000

$230,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon – $158,758Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Central City Concern / www.centralcityconcern.org/jobs, The HealthCare Initiative, and Clinical Management Consultants.

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$80,000

$255,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania – $125,691Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Yasmesoft.

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$49,000

$236,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina – $124,394Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of South Carolina, RPh Professional Search, and Medmatch International Inc..

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$63,000

$199,000

Salary Distribution
South Dakota – $115,213Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search.

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$58,000

$180,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee – $137,751Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search and Pharmstaff.

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$65,000

$236,000

Salary Distribution
Texas – $131,012Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Healthcare Employment Partners, Clinical Management Consultants, Dove Management Resources (DMR), and North Shore Staffing Group.

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$63,000

$222,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia – $128,838Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search and Clinical Management Consultants.

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$53,000

$237,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont – $136,276Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MedWest Healthcare Recruiting LLC.

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$68,000

$207,000

Salary Distribution
Washington – $157,582Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Continuum Medical Staffing, Clinical Management Consultants, and The HealthCare Initiative.

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$74,000

$272,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin – $137,750Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search.

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$63,000

$240,000

Salary Distribution
West Virginia – $117,443Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clinical Management Consultants.

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$59,000

$179,000

Salary Distribution
Wyoming – $126,828Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search and USA Staffing Network.

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$64,000

$210,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Director of Pharmacy. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary
All’s Well Health Care Director of PharmacyCalifornia$225,000
E-Health Jobs Director of PharmacyCalifornia$220,000
CLINIPOST Director of PharmacyCalifornia$210,426
Sharkey’s Recruiting Firm Director of PharmacyCalifornia$179,723
Clinical Management Consultants Director of PharmacyCalifornia$176,777
The HealthCare Initiative Director of PharmacyGeorgia$165,481
Dove Management Resources (DMR) Director of PharmacyMaryland$165,000
Healthcare Employment Partners Director of PharmacyTexas$162,021
University of Miami Miller School of Med Director of PharmacyFlorida$161,839
Healthcare Recruitment Consultant Director of PharmacyCalifornia$160,000
RPh Professional Search Director of PharmacyVirginia$159,922
Affiance Group LLC Director of PharmacyMassachusetts$157,260

Learn More

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Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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