Pharmaceutical Industry Workers

Employers

Approximately 341,770 people are employed in the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry. Pharmaceutical professionals work for pharmaceutical and biotech companies that manufacture prescription and over-the-counter products. There are about 100 major companies in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, according to Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). In 2021 alone, PhRMA's members invested $102.3 billion in research in development. The top 10 companies by revenue are referred to as “Big Pharma.” There are also more than 4,500 biotech companies in the United States, according to the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Major pharmaceutical and biotech companies include Johnson & Johnson, Biogen, Pfizer, GSK, Merck, and Bristol Myers Squibb.

Starting Out

College-trained applicants often benefit from placement services provided by the career services offices of their schools. Applicants can also apply directly to pharmaceutical companies or through school contacts with professional organizations. In addition, professional trade publications list job opportunities that are offered in each division and level of the industry.

Popular pharmaceutical/biotech industry job-search sites include https://www.biospace.com, https://www.fiercepharma.com, and https://www.science.org/careers.